Effects of clomipramine on the concentrations of catecholamines, indoleamines and their metabolites in 11 rat brain regions.

The effects of clomipramine (CMP) treatment on the brain concentrations of catecholamines, indoleamines and their metabolites were evaluated in 11 rat brain regions. An acute CMP treatment (15 mg/kg) reduced only the 5-hydroxyindole-3-acetic acid (5HIAA) concentrations in all regions. A long-term CMP treatment (14 days, 10 mg/kg/day) decreased the concentrations of dopamine (DA), 5-hydroxytryptamine and 5HIAA in the mesencephalon, and increased the DA concentrations in the hippocampus. In comparison with the values for the long-term treated rats, an acute injection of CMP (15 mg/kg) after a long-term treatment increased the norepinephrine concentrations in the hypothalamus and amygdala, and the concentrations of DA, 3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetic acid and homovanillic acid in the basal ganglia. On the other hand, it failed to decrease the 5HIAA concentrations in the basal ganglia, frontal cortex, hypothalamus, cerebellum, pons + medulla oblongata, and mesencephalon.