Chronic but not acute antidepressants interfere with serotonin (5-HT1B) receptors.

Eight days of isolation induced in mice a social behavioral deficit responsive to the serotonin agonists, TFMPP (1-(m-trifluoromethylphenyl)piperazine), m-CPP (1-(3-chlorophenyl)piperazine), RU 24969. These drugs are not specific for one subtype of serotonin receptors but share the property of being able to stimulate 5-HT1B receptors. They exert their effects in this test through this receptor. Fluoxetine and phenelzine were behaviorally inactive and did not impair the TFMPP effect when given acutely. On the contrary, the chronic administration of these two antidepressant drugs significantly antagonized the TFMPP effect. These results demonstrate a link between two antidepressant drugs and a function of 5-HT1B receptors. The lack of effect of acute versus chronic treatments suggests the involvement of 5-HT1B receptors in the therapeutic effect of these drugs.