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Studies in vitro indicate that the antidepressant drug, venlafaxine (VEN), inhibits the reuptake of both serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine, 5-HT) and noradrenaline (NA) but has little activity on other neurotransmitter receptors. There are, however, few studies on the effects of VEN on monoamine neurotransmission in vivo. In the present study we examined the effect of VEN treatment on the melatonin content of the rat pineal gland because the synthesis of melatonin is regulated by the release of NA onto pinealocyte beta-adrenoceptors. Acute treatment with higher doses (15 mg/kg) of VEN significantly increased pineal melatonin and NA but this effect was attenuated by subchronic treatment. These data are consistent with in vitro data suggesting that VEN increases NA neurotransmission at higher doses and that repeated treatment can desensitize pinealocyte beta-adrenoceptors.

Original publication

DOI

10.1177/026988119801200407

Type

Journal article

Journal

J Psychopharmacol

Publication Date

1998

Volume

12

Pages

371 - 374

Keywords

Animals, Cyclohexanols, Male, Melatonin, Norepinephrine, Pineal Gland, Rats, Rats, Sprague-Dawley, Serotonin Uptake Inhibitors, Venlafaxine Hydrochloride