title: Imipramine binding sites in brain and platelets: role in affective disorders.
abstract: Specific recognition sites for the tricyclic antidepressant drug [3H]imipramine ([3H]IMI) have been demonstrated in brain and platelets of various species, including human beings, and suggested to play a role in the mode of action of antidepressants and serve as a biological marker in some forms of depression. In brain, [3H]IMI was shown to bind to at least two classes of sites; high- and low-affinity. Only the high-affinity, sodium-dependent binding was found to be associated with the serotonin transporter complex. Decreased density of [3H]IMI sites in platelets of depressed patients was observed in some but not all clinical studies. A reason for this discrepancy could be the recent finding that the sodium-dependent [3H]IMI sites relevant for regulation of serotonin uptake represent only about 70% of the 'specific' [3H]IMI binding defined, as in most assays, by excess desipramine. It is suggested that the sodium-dependent [3H]IMI binding or a more selective ligand (e.g. [3H]paroxetine) should be used in future studies of serotonin transporter function in depression.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, University of Ottawa, Canada.
authors.forename: P D
authors.initials: PD
authors.lastname: Hrdina
mesh_terms: D001792:Blood Platelets / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D001921:Brain / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D002352:Carrier Proteins; D006801:Humans; D019964:Mood Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000378:metabolism*; D011955:Receptors, Drug; D017981:Receptors, Neurotransmitter / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D002352:Carrier Proteins; D011955:Receptors, Drug; D017981:Receptors, Neurotransmitter; C027775:imipramine receptor