Linked Life Data

3037423

Source:http://linkedlifedata.com/resource/pubmed/id/3037423

Statements in which the resource exists as a subject.
PredicateObject
rdf:type
lifeskim:mentions
pubmed:issue
6
pubmed:dateCreated
1987-7-29
pubmed:abstractText
Deficiencies in noradrenergic neurotransmission have been found in the central nervous system of aged laboratory animals. The purpose of the present study was to determine if tricyclic antidepressants, such as desipramine, can overcome the diminished noradrenergic neurotransmission found in these animals. Using electrophysiological techniques, noradrenergic neurotransmission was examined in the cerebellar cortex of rats, a model system which has been used extensively to characterize the effects of norepinephrine in the central nervous system. The discharge rate of cerebellar Purkinje neurons is very sensitive to changes in the noradrenergic input from the nucleus locus coeruleus. In this model system in young rats, treatment with desipramine slowly augments noradrenergic neurotransmission over several weeks. Similar treatment in aged animals caused no increase in the age-related deficient noradrenergic neurotransmission. The decline in efficacy of desipramine with age could not be accounted for by differences between young and old rats in the distribution of the drug. Failure of desipramine to be effective in older rats may reflect the insensitivity of aged neurons to norepinephrine itself, so that treatment strategies which increase the amount of nerepinephrine released onto these neurons may be ineffective. The findings may have implications for the use of tricyclic antidepressants in aged depressed patients.
pubmed:grant
pubmed:language
eng
pubmed:journal
pubmed:citationSubset
IM
pubmed:chemical
pubmed:status
MEDLINE
pubmed:month
Jun
pubmed:issn
0028-3908
pubmed:author
pubmed:issnType
Print
pubmed:volume
26
pubmed:owner
NLM
pubmed:authorsComplete
Y
pubmed:pagination
597-605
pubmed:dateRevised
2007-11-14
pubmed:meshHeading
pubmed:year
1987
pubmed:articleTitle
Desipramine and noradrenergic neurotransmission in aging: failure to respond in aged laboratory animals.
pubmed:publicationType
Journal Article, Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S., Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.