Desipramine given repeatedly enhances behavioural effects of dopamine and d-amphetamine injected into the nucleus accumbens.
The effect of desipramine (DMI) was studied after its repeated administration (10 mg/kg p.o., twice daily, 14 days) to rats, on the action of dopamine and d-amphetamine injected bilaterally into the nucleus accumbens. DMI, applied repeatedly but not acutely, prevented the sedative effect of dopamine and enhanced its stimulating action, as assessed by the open-field test. Repeated administration of DMI also enhanced d-amphetamine-induced locomotor hyperactivity. The number of [3H]SCH 23390 binding sites (D-1) in the limbic system decreased while the number of [3H] spiperone ones (D-2) remained unchanged. The results indicate that, like other antidepressant drugs studied earlier, DMI enhances neurotransmission in the dopamine mesolimbic system (nucleus accumbens) of the rat.
D000818:Animals; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents; D001522:Behavior, Animal / Q000187:drug effects*; D001552:Benzazepines / Q000378:metabolism; D001667:Binding, Competitive; D001923:Brain Chemistry / Q000187:drug effects; D003891:Desipramine / Q000494:pharmacology*; D003913:Dextroamphetamine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004298:Dopamine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005260:Female; D007267:Injections; D008297:Male; D009714:Nucleus Accumbens; D051381:Rats; D011919:Rats, Inbred Strains; D013134:Spiperone / Q000378:metabolism
D014150:Antipsychotic Agents; D001552:Benzazepines; D013134:Spiperone; D003891:Desipramine; D003913:Dextroamphetamine; D004298:Dopamine