title: Acute versus repeated administration of desipramine in rats and mice: relationships between brain concentrations and reduction of immobility in the swimming test.
abstract: Immobility scores in the swimming test and brain concentrations of desipramine were determined in rats and mice following repeated injection of the antidepressant versus acute administration of either a behaviorally effective or ineffective dose of the drug. Five injections (IP) of desipramine (each injection being performed at the measured T1/2 of the drug in the brain) reduced immobility scores by 30%, whereas this regimen resulted in brain drug concentrations not different from those obtained after a single, behaviorally ineffective dose of desipramine. It is suggested that the enhanced "antidepressant" response such as that frequently observed in animals after repeated injection of imipramine-like drugs does not involve accumulation of the drug in the brain.
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000928:Antidepressive Agents; D001921:Brain / Q000378:metabolism; D001923:Brain Chemistry / Q000187:drug effects*; D003891:Desipramine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000378:metabolism / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D009043:Motor Activity / Q000187:drug effects*; D051381:Rats; D013550:Swimming
chemical_list: D000928:Antidepressive Agents; D003891:Desipramine