¹Department of Neurochemistry, Institut d' Investigacions Biomèdiques de Barcelona (CSIC), IDIBAPS, 08036 Barcelona, Spain

Correspondence: Dr F Artigas, Department of Neurochemistry, Institut d' Investigacions Biomèdiques de Barcelona (CSIC), IDIBAPS, Rosselló, 161, 6th floor, 08036 Barcelona, Spain. Tel: +3493 363 8315; Fax: +3493 363 8301; E-mail: fapnqi@iibb.csic.es

Received 27 February 2002; Revised 10 May 2002; Accepted 16 July 2002.

Abstract

The interactions between the brainstem serotonergic (5-hydroxytryptamine, 5-HT) and noradrenergic (NA) systems are important for the pathophysiology and treatment of affective disorders. We examined the influence of -adrenoceptors on 5-HT and NA release in the rat dorsal raphe nucleus (DR) using microdialysis. 5-HT and NA concentrations in DR dialysates were virtually suppressed by TTX and increased by veratridine. The local and systemic administration of the ₁-adrenoceptor antagonist prazosin reduced the DR 5-HT output but not that of NA. The maximal 5-HT reduction induced by local prazosin administration (-78% at 100 M) was more marked than by its systemic administration (-43% at 0.3 mg/kg). The local application of NA and desipramine, to increase the tone on DR ₁-adrenoceptors, did not enhance 5-HT release. The local (100 M) or systemic (0.1–1 mg/kg s.c.) administration of clonidine reduced 5-HT and NA release (-48 and -79%, respectively, at 1 mg/kg), an effect reversed by RX-821002, which by itself increased both amines when given systemically. DSP-4 pretreatment prevented the effects of clonidine on 5-HT, suggesting the participation of ₂-adrenoceptors on NA elements. Moreover, the systemic effect of clonidine on 5-HT (but not NA) was cancelled by lesion of the lateral habenula and by anesthesia, and was slightly enhanced by cortical transection. These data support the view that ₁-adrenoceptors in the DR tonically stimulate 5-HT release, possibly at nearly maximal tone. Likewise, the 5-HT release is modulated by ₂-adrenoceptors in NA neurons and in forebrain areas involved in the distal control of 5-HT neurons.