Effects of REM sleep deprivation and desipramine on beta-adrenergic binding sites in rat brain.

Rats were subjected to REM sleep deprivation by the flower pot method for 7 days. Another group of rats received either desipramine (10 mg/kg, i.p.), a tricyclic antidepressant, or saline (i.p.) once daily for 7 days. beta-Adrenergic receptor sensitivity in rat brain cortices was assessed by determining the maximum number of [3H]dihydroalprenolol binding sites by Scatchard analysis. Administration of desipramine caused a 26% reduction in beta-adrenergic receptor density (P less than 0.01) while REM sleep deprivation reduced beta-adrenergic receptor density by 13%, which was not statistically significant.