Comparison of the effects of chronic desmethylimipramine administration on alpha 2- and beta-adrenoceptors in different regions of rat brain.

Journal article

The effects of ten once-daily injections of desmethylimipramine (10 mg/kg i.p.) on alpha 2- and beta-adrenoceptor binding were investigated in the rat cortex, hippocampus and hypothalamus. [3H]clonidine and [3H]dihydroalprenolol were used as ligands for alpha 2- and beta-adrenoceptors, respectively. Twenty-four hours after the last injection, the density of beta-adrenoceptors was reduced in all regions studied. In contrast, there was no change in alpha 2-adrenoceptor binding in the cortex, while increased binding was found in the hypothalamus. The effects of desmethylimipramine are discussed in relation to those of other antidepressant treatments.

Authors: Stanford, C; Nutt, D; Cowen, P

• Publication status: Published
• Journal: Neuroscience
• Volume: 8
• Issue: 1
• Pages: 161-164
• Publication date: 1983-01-01
• DOI: 10.1016/0306-4522(83)90035-0
• EISSN: 1873-7544
• ISSN: 0306-4522
• Language: English
• Keywords: Desipramine; Animals; Receptors, Adrenergic; Rats; Male; Cerebral Cortex; Receptors, Adrenergic, alpha; Receptors, Adrenergic, beta; Hippocampus; Rats, Inbred Strains; Hypothalamus; Brain