EFFECTS OF MIANSERIN AND FLUOXETINE ON AXONAL REGENERATION OF BRAIN CATECHOLAMINE NEURONS

The antidepressants, mianserin (MIA) and fluoxetine (FLU), were examined to see if they could induce regeneration of catecholaminergic axons in the rat cerebral cortex. MIA, which has a small or no effect in noradrenaline (NA) reuptake but may enhance release by blocking presynaptic inhibition mediated by alpha-2-adrenoceptors, induced regeneration of catecholamine fibers. In contrast, FLU, a potent reuptake blocker of serotonin was ineffective. This finding suggests that the antidepressant-induced regeneration of cortical catecholamine fibers is associated, at least in part, with enhanced noradrenergic transmission.