Comparison of imipramine-imipraminium in mice. To elucidate central or peripheral origin of effects of imipramine.
Imipramine hydrochloride shows effects in a battery of tests used for the screening of antidepressant drugs. The central origin of these pharmacological effects of imipramine has not been clearly established. Imipramine methiodide is a quaternary derivative of imipramine which does not cross the blood-brain barrier easily. The effects of the two forms of imipramine have been compared: on an effect known to have a central origin; on two effects known to have a peripheral origin; on a battery of tests used for the screening of antidepressant drugs. It has been demonstrated that imipramine methiodide is as active as imipramine hydrochloride on two effects of peripheral origin, less active than imipramine hydrochloride on an effect considered to have a central origin and less active than imipramine hydrochloride or inactive on the tests which are used for the screening of antidepressant drugs. Consequently, the tests used for the screening of antidepressant drugs represent, primarily or exclusively, effects of central origin.
D000818:Animals; D001058:Apomorphine / Q000494:pharmacology; D001831:Body Temperature / Q000187:drug effects; D004357:Drug Synergism; D007099:Imipramine / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D009043:Motor Activity / Q000187:drug effects; D010095:Oxotremorine / Q000494:pharmacology; D011680:Pupil / Q000187:drug effects; D012110:Reserpine / Q000494:pharmacology; D014202:Tremor / Q000139:chemically induced; D015016:Yohimbine / Q000633:toxicity
D015016:Yohimbine; D010095:Oxotremorine; D012110:Reserpine; D001058:Apomorphine; D007099:Imipramine