Chronic in vivo treatment with desmethylimipramine and mianserin does not alter adenosine A-1 radioligand binding in rat cortex.

Antidepressants and electroconvulsive shock therapy (ECS) have been reported to alter adenosine-sensitive adenylate cyclase responses in rat brain, suggesting an involvement of the purine in the mechanisms by which antidepressants and antidepressant therapy produce their clinical effects. Chronic (14-21 days, 10 mg/kg/day by Alzet minipump) treatment with desmethylimipramine (DMI) and mianserin, while producing changes in beta-adrenoceptor (DMI) and serotonin-2 (DMI and mianserin) radioligand binding similar to those reported in the literature, has no effect on adenosine A-1 radioligand binding.