DSP-4 lesioning prevents the enhancement of dopamine and 5-hydroxytryptamine mediated behavioural changes by repeated electroconvulsive shock.

DSP-4 (N-(2-chloroethyl)-ethyl-2-bromobenzylamine) a novel neurotoxin which destroys central noradrenaline neurones after peripheral injection was administered to rats (50 mg/kg X 2). This procedure did not alter activity responses to quipazine (7.5 mg/kg) or apomorphine (0.2 mg/kg) but prevented their enhancement by repeated electroconvulsive shocks (ECS X 10). This confirms that intact noradrenergic function is required for ECS-induced enhancement of 5-HT and dopamine mediated responses. Furthermore, DSP-4 is shown to provide a simple, effective alternative to centrally injected 6-hydroxydopamine for noradrenergic lesioning.