Interaction of neuroleptics and antidepressants with rat brain alpha 2-receptors: a possible relationship between alpha 2-receptor antagonism and antidepressant action.

Article Details

Citation

Tsukamoto T, Asakura M, Hirata N, Imafuku J, Matsui H, Hasegawa K

Interaction of neuroleptics and antidepressants with rat brain alpha 2-receptors: a possible relationship between alpha 2-receptor antagonism and antidepressant action.

Biol Psychiatry. 1984 Sep;19(9):1283-91.

PubMed ID
6149771 [ View in PubMed
]
Abstract

The relative potencies of a variety of neuroleptic drugs and antidepressant agents in competing for the binding of 3H-clonidine and 3H-yohimbine to alpha 2-adrenergic receptors of the rat cerebral cortex were quantified. The rank order of potencies of neuroleptics tested in competing for both ligand bindings is: clocapramine, carpipramine much greater than perphenazine, fluphenazine, alpha,beta-flupentixol greater than propericiazine, levomepromazine greater than chlorpromazine, pimozide greater than moperone much greater than haloperidol, sulpiride. Among the antidepressants, mianserin is the most potent antidepressant. Amitriptyline has a substantial affinity, while desipramine, imipramine, and clomipramine are the least potent. It is concluded that a number of neuroleptics and antidepressant agents display a potent or moderate affinity to alpha 2-receptor sites. These findings support the suggestion that some neuroleptics enhance the release of norepinephrine (NE) mainly by acting on presynaptic alpha 2-receptors, and that the alpha 2-receptor blocking property may have an important role in the mechanism of the antidepressant effect of some neuroleptic compounds.

DrugBank Data that Cites this Article

Drug Targets
DrugTargetKindOrganismPharmacological ActionActions
MethotrimeprazineAlpha-2A adrenergic receptorProteinHumans
Unknown
Antagonist
Details
MethotrimeprazineAlpha-2B adrenergic receptorProteinHumans
Unknown
Antagonist
Details
MethotrimeprazineAlpha-2C adrenergic receptorProteinHumans
Unknown
Antagonist
Details
PericiazineAlpha-2A adrenergic receptorProteinHumans
Yes
Antagonist
Details