The activation of mice's behavior and reduction of brain beta-adrenergic receptor binding following repeated administration of antidepressant drugs.
In view of the fact that antidepressant drugs have almost no effect on a normal person's emotion and behavior, it seems necessary to examine their effects on animal behavior under abnormal, or stressful conditions. When mice were put into a water wheel apparatus, they tried to escape from the water by turning the wheel. This "wheel-turning behavior" was activated by repeated doses of imipramine or amitriptyline. The increase was paralleled by a reduction of brain beta-adrenergic receptor binding. It was speculated that chronic doses of antidepressants would increase escape behavior in mice when they were placed in a critical situation. The causal relationships between this behavioral change and beta-receptor function in brain remains to be further examined.
D000284:Administration, Oral; D000639:Amitriptyline / Q000008:administration & dosage; D000818:Animals; D000928:Antidepressive Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D001921:Brain / Q000378:metabolism*; D004924:Escape Reaction / Q000187:drug effects*; D007099:Imipramine / Q000008:administration & dosage; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D011943:Receptors, Adrenergic, beta / Q000378:metabolism*
D000928:Antidepressive Agents; D011943:Receptors, Adrenergic, beta; D000639:Amitriptyline; D007099:Imipramine