Celecoxib as an in vivo probe of cyclooxygenase-2 mechanisms underlying retrograde amnesia in an animal model of ECT.

Background: Cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) mechanisms are involved in glutamate-mediated learning and memory as well as in glutamatergic excitotoxicity. Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT)-induced amnesia may arise from glutamatergic excitotoxicity; if so, COX-2 inhibition may attenuate retrograde amnesia with ECT.

Methods: Wistar rats which received celecoxib (15 mg/kg per day) or vehicle for 18 days were trained for 3 days on a passive avoidance task.