Summary
The effect of seventeen established or possible antidepressant agents on the synthesis of 5-HT, noradrenaline and dopamine in rat brain has been investigated by measuring the accumulation of 5-hydroxytryptophan and DOPA induced by an inhibitor of the aromatic L-aminoacid decarboxylase (3-hydroxybenzylhydrazine hydrochloride, 100 mg/kg i.p.). All the established inhibitors of 5-HT, noradrenaline and dopamine uptake were found to inhibit the synthesis of the respective monoamines, presumably by influencing a receptor-mediated feedback mechanism. A close correlation appears to exist between blockade of transmitter uptake and inhibition of transmitter synthesis. The results support current ideas on the mode of action of antidepressant agents.
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Parts of these data have been presented inCarlsson and Lindqvist, 1978 a.
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Carlsson, A., Lindqvist, M. Effects of antidepressant agents on the synthesis of brain monoamines. J. Neural Transmission 43, 73–91 (1978). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01579067
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01579067