Localisation of Tricyclic Antidepressant Binding Sites on Serotonin Nerve Terminals

Abstract

High-affinity specific [³H]imipramine binding has been demonstrated in the brain and platelets of various species including man. Electrolytic lesion of the rat dorsal raphe, which resulted in a significant decrease in the endogenous levels of serotonin produced a reduction in the density of [³H]imipramine binding sites in the hypothalamus and cortex. The affinity constants were unchanged. These results suggest that [³H]imipramine binding sites are located on serotonin nerve terminals.