title: Effect of amitriptyline on neurotransmitter levels in adult mice following infection with the avirulent strain of Semliki Forest virus.
abstract: Infection of adult mice with the avirulent strain of Semliki Forest virus (SFV) led to neurochemical abnormalities, notably depressed levels of catecholamines (CATs) such as noradrenaline (NA), adrenaline (A) and 3-methoxy-4-hydroxyphenylglycol (MHPG) (a metabolite of NA) particularly in the hypothalamus and the inferior colliculus but not in the temporal cortex. In addition, depressed levels of NA and A were also found in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and the serum. Administration of a tricyclic antidepressant drug, amitriptyline, kept the levels of NA, A and MHPG similar to those of the saline-treated control mice in the hypothalamus, inferior colliculus and CSF.
authors.affiliation: Neurovirology Unit, Rayne Institute, United Medical and Dental School, Guy's Hospital, London, UK.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Mehta
authors.forename: L M
authors.initials: LM
authors.lastname: Parsons
authors.forename: H E
authors.initials: HE
authors.lastname: Webb
mesh_terms: D000639:Amitriptyline / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000818:Animals; D001921:Brain / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D002851:Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid; D004837:Epinephrine / Q000097:blood / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D007031:Hypothalamus / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D007245:Inferior Colliculi / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D008734:Methoxyhydroxyphenylglycol / Q000378:metabolism; D051379:Mice; D018377:Neurotransmitter Agents / Q000378:metabolism*; D009638:Norepinephrine / Q000097:blood / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid / Q000378:metabolism; D012672:Semliki forest virus; D013702:Temporal Lobe / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D013997:Time Factors; D014036:Togaviridae Infections / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D018377:Neurotransmitter Agents; D000639:Amitriptyline; D008734:Methoxyhydroxyphenylglycol; D009638:Norepinephrine; D004837:Epinephrine