ISSN:
1432-2072
Keywords:
Mianserin
;
Atypical antidepressants
;
DRL 72-s schedule
;
Serotonin
;
5-HT2 receptors
Source:
Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
Topics:
Medicine
Notes:
Abstract The behavioral effects of racemic mianserin, its (+) and (−) enantiomers, and its metabolites desmethylmianserin and 8-hydroxymianserin were evaluated on the differential-reinforcement-of-low-rate 72-s (DRL 72-s) schedule, a screen known to be sensitive to and specific for the antidepressant properties of drugs. Racemic mianserin produced the antidepressant-like effect (increased reinforcement rate, decreased response rate) at 5 and 10 mg/kg. The mianserin enantiomers showed the antidepressant-like effect beginning at lower doses [(+) mianserin; 0.6 mg/kg; (−) mianserin: 2.5 mg/kg]. The mianserin metabolites showed no clear dose-related effect at doses up to 10 mg/kg. It is concluded that the antidepressant-like effects of mianserin are due to the activity of the parent compound rather than to its metabolites, and that they may be primarily attributable to the (+) enantiomer. The greater potency of (+)-mianserin may be related to its higher affinity for the 5-HT2 receptor.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/BF02244363
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