A CORRELATION OF EEG, RETICULAR MULTIPLE UNIT ACTIVITY AND GROSS BEHAVIOR FOLLOWING VARIOUS ANTIDEPRESSANT AGENTS IN CAT .4.

Reticular formation multiple unit activity (RUA), EEG, EMG, and gross behavior were recorded from cats chronically implanted with cortical and subcortical electrodes. Following the administration of various antidepressant agents three phases of drug-induced action were described, as follows:. Phase I - a short period of excitement accompanied by increased EMG, a desynchronized EEG, and increased RUA. Phase II - characterized by a prolonged lowering of the RUA to the slow wave sleep level, EEG slow wave activity and behavioral quiescence without the behavioral concomitants of sleep, lasting for 1-3 days. Phase III - characterized by EEG and gross behavior comparable to control wakefulness, RPS and slow wave sleep; however, the RUA levels for each state were elevated above control levels. Amitriptyline, desmethylimipramine, imipramine, chlorpromazine and perphenazine all induced Phases I and II. Imipramine was the only compound studied to elicit Phase III. Convulsions were observed following high doses of amitriptyline, desmethylimipramine and imipramine. Methamphetamine and pargyline induced changes characteristic of Phase I. Methamphetamine induced a prolonged period of alertness with an increased RUA level and desynchronized EEG. Pargyline elicited a period of alertness followed by a prolonged period of vacillating wakefulness and drowsy behavior. © 1969.