| Abstract: | Rats were treated with electroconvulsive shock (ECS), desmethylimipramine (DMI), ECS plus DMI, or diazepam. In vitro analyses showed that chronic ECS produced an elevated density of recognition sites for 3H]imipramine (IMI) in platelet membranes, but had no effect on membrane preparations derived from cortical tissue. A similar elevation in receptor binding was seen exclusively in platelets after chronic ECS plus DMI, whereas no effect was observed with DMI alone. Equilibrium dissociation constant (KD) values for 3H]IMI were also increased in platelet membranes from rats given chronic ECS or ECS plus DMI treatment. Chronic ECS or DMI administration produced a decreased density of beta-adrenergic recognition sites in frontal cortex and cerebellum as assessed by 3H]dihydroalprenolol (DHA) binding. The combination of ECS plus DMI produced a similar decrease. In addition, chronic diazepam administration produced a down-regulation of the beta-adrenergic receptor only in the cerebellum. These data provide evidence for the differential regulation of brain and peripheral neurotransmitter recognition sites. |
