The effect of repeated administration of imipramine, citalopram and mianserin on responsiveness of central serotonergic, alpha 2-adrenergic and cholinergic system in mice.

The effect of antidepressant drugs: imipramine, citalopram and mianserin given either in a single dose or twice a day for 14 days in a dose of 10 mg/kg was investigated in mice in tests for the responsiveness of central serotonergic (L-5 hydroxytryptophan-induced head twitches), alpha 2-adrenergic (donidine hypoactivity) and cholinergic (oxotremorine syndrome) systems. The effect of L-5 hydroxytryptophan was inhibited by repeated administration of citalopram and mianserin but unchanged by administration of imipramine. After a single administration only mianserin inhibited the L-5 hydroxytryptophan effect. Given repeatedly, the investigated antidepressant drugs did not affect the effect of clonidine; only mianserin potentiated the hypoactivity when given in a single dose. Repeatedly administered antidepressant drugs did not affect the action of oxotremorine, although imipramine (but not citalopram or mianserin) antagonized it after a single administration. The results indicate that under the present conditions repeatedly given mianserin and citalopram, but not imipramine, antagonize behavioral effects of L-5 hydroxytryptophan. No one of the investigated antidepressant drugs given repeatedly changed the responsiveness of alpha 2 -adrenergic and cholinergic systems to their agonists. It might be concluded that the changes in alpha 1-adrenergic and dopaminergic systems, observed previously after repeated administration of antidepressant drugs, are selective.