NA和5－HT对小脑脑片浦肯野细胞自发及诱发电活动的影响

在大鼠小脑脑片上观察了ＮＡ和５－ＨＴ对浦肯野细胞（ＰＣ）的自发放电活动及由白质刺激所引起的诱发放电活动的影响。结果表明：（１）ＮＡ使ＰＣ产生抑制、兴奋和双相反应,以抑制反应为主（７９．８％）;５－ＨＴ引起ＰＣ兴奋和抑制反应,以兴奋反应略多（５７．８％）。（２）先后灌流ＮＡ和５－ＨＴ对同一个ＰＣ自发放电的影响主要为抑制（ＮＡ）－兴奋（５－ＨＴ）（５３．８％）。（３）ＮＡ对ＰＣ的诱发复杂锋电位（ＣＳ）和简单锋电位（ＳＳ）反应,主要产生增强效应（５７．１％和６２．８％）;５－ＨＴ对ＰＣ诱发ＣＳ和ＳＳ反应则主要产生压抑作用（６０．０％和６８．２％）。（４）先后灌流ＮＡ和５－ＨＴ对同一个ＰＣ的诱发ＣＳ和ＳＳ反应,主要表现为ＮＡ对这两种诱发反应的增强和５－ＨＴ的压抑效应（６０．０％和５２．９％）。这些结果提示,ＮＡ能和５－ＨＴ能传入纤维可以通过释放ＮＡ和５－ＨＴ调节ＰＣ的兴奋性水平并改变ＰＣ对爬行纤维和苦状纤维突触传入的反应敏感性,影响小脑皮层神经元网络的感觉运动整合过程。     

NA和5—HT对小脑脑片清浦肯野细胞自发有诱发电活动的影响

在大鼠小脑脑片上观察了ＮＡ和５－ＨＴ地浦背野细胞（ＰＣ）的自发放电活动及由白质刺激所引诱发放电活动的影响。结果表明：（１）ＮＡ使ＰＣ产生抑制、兴奋和双相反应,以抑制反应为主（７９．８％）;５－ＨＴ引起ＰＣ兴奋和抑制反应,以兴奋反应略多（５７．８％）。（２）先后灌流ＮＡ和５－ＨＴ对同一个ＰＣ自发放电的影响主要为抑制（ＮＡ）－兴奋（５－ＨＴ）（５３．８％）。（３）ＮＡ地ＰＣ的诱发复杂锋电位（ＣＳ）和简     

豚鼠腹腔神经节迟慢兴奋性突触后电位与5－HT和P物质的关系

应用细胞内记录,研究了豚鼠腹腔神经节（ＣＧ）细胞非胆碱能迟慢兴奋性突触后电位（ＬＳ－ＥＰＳＰ）与５－羟色胺（５－ＨＴ）及Ｐ物质（ＳＰ）的相互关系。当重复电刺激内脏大神经（ＳＮ）时,有７８．２％的细胞（１６１／２０６）在动作电位发放后出现ＬＳ－ＥＰＳＰ,灌注或压力注射５－ＨＴ或ＳＰ,分别在６８．５％的细胞（１０２／１４９）及５２．１％的细胞（９８／１８８）上引起５－ＨＴ或ＳＰ去极化反应,两者差异非常显著（Ｐ＜０．０１）;大部分具有ＬＳ－ＥＰＳＰ的细胞对５－ＨＴ（７３／８８,８３．０％）或ＳＰ（６８／１１４５９．６％）敏感,而不出现ＬＳ－ＥＰＳＰ的细胞仅有少数对５－ＨＴ（１０／２６,３８．５％）或ＳＰ（１１／３６,３０．６％）敏感,两类细胞的差异非常显著（５－ＨＴ：Ｐ＜０．０００１,ＳＰ：Ｐ＜０．０１）。上述结果支持５－ＨＴ与ＳＰ均作为递质参与ＬＳ－ＥＰＳＰ形成的观点。此外,在１３３个细胞上同时检测了５－ＨＴ与ＳＰ的作用,其中有６６个细胞（４９．６％）对５－ＨＴ及ＳＰ均敏感,提示在ＣＧ细胞,５－ＨＴ与ＳＰ之间可能存在某种机能联系。     

豚鼠腹腔神经节迟慢兴奋性突触后电位与5—HT和P物质的关系

应用细胞内记录,研究了豚鼠腹腔神经节细胞非胆碱能迟慢兴奋性突触后电位与５－羟色胺及Ｐ物质的相互关系。当重复电刺激内脏大神经时,有７８．２％的细胞在动作电位发放后出现ＬＳ－ＥＰＳＰ;灌注或压力注射５－ＨＴ或ＳＰ,分别在６８．５％的细胞（１０２／１４９）及５２．１％的细胞（９８／１８８）上引起５－ＨＴ或ＳＰ去极化反应,两者差异非常显著（Ｐ〈０．０１）;大部分具有ＬＳ－ＥＰＳＰ的细胞对５－ＨＴ（７３／８     

决明组织培养的研究

以草决明无菌苗子叶为外植体,接种于７类诱导愈伤组织的培养基上：Ａ．ＭＳ＋２．０２,４－Ｄｍｇ／Ｌ（以下单位省略）＋０．３ＢＡ＋０．２ＮＡＡ．Ｂ．ＭＳ＋０．２２,４－Ｄ十０．２ＢＡ＋２．０ＮＡＡ．Ｃ．ＭＳ＋１．０２,４－Ｄ＋０．５ＢＡ＋０．２ＫＴ．Ｄ．ＭＳ＋０．７ＢＡ＋１．５ＮＡＡ＋０．１ＫＴ．Ｅ．ＭＳ＋１．５２,４－Ｄ＋０．７ＢＡ十０．２ＭＡＡ．Ｆ．ＭＳ＋０．４２．４－Ｄ＋１．０ＮＡＡ＋０．１ＫＴ．Ｇ．ＭＳＢ（ＭＳ的无机成份和Ｂ５有机成分）＋０．１５ＮＡＡ＋ＢＡ,ＫＴ和ＺＴ各０．５。８～１５天后分别有９０～９９．６％的子叶片被诱导出愈伤组织,并且Ｆ．与Ｃ．类培养基对诱导愈伤组织比较理想,放于Ｇ培养基上的愈伤组织有９．２～３０．２％的芽分化率。芽在生根培养基１／２ＭＳ＋０．２ＩＢＡ中、９８％生根,形成完整的再生植株。     

5—HT对大鼠新鲜分离DRG神经元GABA激活电流的调制作用

本实验在新鲜分离的大鼠背根神经节（ＤＲＧ）细胞上应用全细胞膜片钳技术,观察５－ＨＴ对ＧＡＢＡ激活电流的调制作用。结果发现,绝大多数细胞（４９／５４）对ＧＡＢＡ（１０－８～１０－３ｍｏｌ／Ｌ）产生浓度依赖性的内向电流,并有明显的去敏感现象。在多数细胞预加５－ＨＴ（１０－７～１０－４ｍｏｌ／Ｌ）,ＧＡＢＡ激活电流受到明显抑制,抑制率分别为３．０％,１３．５％,１９．７％,２４．７％,５９．１％。５－ＨＴ（１０－７～１０－４ｍｏｌ／Ｌ）本身在部分细胞（２４／４０）可引起浓度依赖性的内向电流,部分细胞（１２／４０）未检测到膜电流,少数细胞（４／４０）可引起微弱的外向电流。此结果提示５－ＨＴ可能作用于初级传入终末,抑制ＧＡＢＡ引起的初级传入去极化从而调节ＧＡＢＡ的突触前抑制效应     

P物质对大鼠DRG神经元胞体膜的作用

本文在大鼠ＤＲＧ神经元标本上应用细胞内记录,以确定ＳＰ对ＤＲＧ细胞的膜反应及其可能的离子机制。实验所测ＤＲＧ细胞静息膜电位为－５８．９±８．２ｍＶ（Ｘ±ＳＥ,ｎ＝８１）。传导速度：Ａ_（α／β）细胞为２０．４±４．８ｍ／ｓ（Ｘ±ＳＥ）,范围１４．１－２８．７ｍ／ｓ（４７／６０）;Ａδ及Ｃ类细胞为９．８±５．２ｍ／ｓ,范围１．２－１３．７ｍ／ｓ（１３／６０）。浴槽滴加ＳＰ（１０￣（－７）－３×１０￣（－４）ｍｏｌ／Ｌ）在大多数细胞可引起明显的膜去极化反应（５６／６０）。少数细胞对ＳＰ无反应（４／６０）。在ＳＰ去极化期间膜电导值有所增加,从平均值２．７２×１０￣（－８）ｍｈｏ增加２４．６％（ｎ＝３）。所测逆转电位值在＋４０－＋５０ｍＶ之间（ｎ＝３）。浊流平衡液（ＢＳＳ）中ＮａＣｌ以氯化胆碱置代,或用含ＴＴＸ（１０￣（－５）ｍｏｌ／Ｌ）的ＢＳＳ灌流,可使ＳＰ－去极化幅值大大减小但不能完全消除。而高（２０ｍｍｏｌ／Ｌ）和低（０ｍｍｏｌ／Ｌ）Ｃａ￣（２＋）的ＢＳＳ灌流时,使ＳＰ－去极化幅值相应的增加和降低。用含１０￣（－４）ｍｏｌ／ＬＣｄ￣（２＋）及１０￣（－２）ｍｏｌ／ＬＴＥＡ的ＢＳＳ灌流,均使ＳＰ－去极化明显减小。     

可乐茄叶肉原生质体培养再生植株

本文报道茄属果树可乐茄（ＳｏｌａｎｕｍｑｕｉｔｏｅｎｓｅＬａｍ．）叶肉原生质体的分离、培养及植株再生。幼嫩叶片原生质体经酶游离、纯化后,以１×１０４个／ｍｌ密度培养于稍加改良Ｋ８ｐ（附加２,４－Ｄ０．５ｍｇＬ（－１）、ＮＡＡ１．０ｍｇＬ（－１）和ＢＡ０．５ｍｇＬ（－１））的培养基中,三天后开始分裂,一周分裂３—４次。一个月形成小细胞团,植板率为０．１—０．２％,小细胞团转培养于ＭＳ＋２,４－Ｄ０．５ｍｇＬ（－１）上增殖后进行分化。原生质体来源愈伤组织在ＩＡＡ（０．１—１．０ｍｇＬ（－１））与ＢＡ或ＺＴ组合的培养基中能诱导器官发生,芽分化率最高可达４２．９％;但ＩＡＡ、ＢＡ、ＺＴ三者一起使用未见任何器官分化。小芽在ＭＳ＋ＩＡＡ０．２ｍｇＬ（－１）中生根成植株。可乐茄叶肉原生质体的植株再生,可应用于育种和茄属植物遗传工程研究。     

腺苷受体拮抗剂对帕金森病小鼠神经递质的影响

运用神经毒剂ＭＰＴＰ（１－ｍｅｔｈｙ－４－ｐｈｅｎｙ－１,２,３,６－ｔｅｔｒａｈｙｄｒｏｐｙｒｉｄｉｎｅ）制作的ＩＣＲ小鼠帕金森病模型,通过荧光测定方法和免疫组织化学方法,测定ＭＰＴＰ及腺甘Ａ２ａ受体拮抗剂喹唑啉（Ｑｕｉｎａｚｏｌｉｎｅ,ＣＰ６６７１３）对单胺类神经递质去甲肾上腺素（ＮＡ）、多巴胺（ＤＡ）、５－羟色胺（５－ＨＴ）及其代谢产物５－羟吲哚乙酸（５－ＨＩＡＡ）和氨基酸类神经递质γ－氨基     

中缝隐核投射至中脑导水管周围灰质腹侧部的递质分析

实验在戊巴比妥钠麻醉大鼠上进行。双侧中脑导水管周围灰质腹侧部（ｖＰＡＧ）微量注射１μｇ／μｌ肾上腺素（每侧０．１μｌ）,刺激中缝隐核（ＮＲＯ）引起的降压反应明显增强,但该效应可被ｖＰＡＧ预先注射心得安所阻断,而注射酚妥拉明对上述效应无明显影响;ｖＰＡＧ内单独微量注射１μｇ／μｌ心得安（每侧０．１μｌ）,可部分阻断ＮＲＯ降压反应,而注射１μｇ／μｌ酚妥拉明（每侧０．１μｌ）无明显影响;双侧ｖＰＡＧ微量注射１０μｇ／μｌ吗啡或０．１ｍｏｌ／Ｌ５－ＨＴ（每侧０．１μｌ）,基础血压无明显变化,ＮＫＯ的降压反应幅度减小（Ｐ＜０．０５）。提示,ＮＫＯ对ｖＰＡＧ的兴奋作用的可能递质为肾上腺素,通过β受体介导;吗啡或５－ＨＴ则可减弱ＮＲＯ对ｖＰＡＧ的兴奋性投射作用。     

The monoaminergic innervation of the rat visual cortex

The intracortical distribution of monoamines, noradrenaline (NA) and serotonin (5-HT), was examined in the visual cortex of the rat with high pressure liquid chromatography (h.p.l.c.) and radioautography. H.p.l.c. measurements showed the densities of both amines to be highest in layer I. The concentration of NA varied considerably in all other layers while the 5-HT concentration decreased with increasing distance from the pial surface. The morphological characteristics of the monoaminergic axon-terminals in the cerebral cortex has been the subject of controversy in recent years. We have used radioautography following topical or intraventricular administration of tritiated amines to examine the ultrastructural features of these terminals in the visual cortex of the rat. Systematic analysis of single sections revealed that more than one-half of the terminals labelled with tritiated NA or 5-HT formed typical synaptic contacts (mostly type I) with dendritic shafts or spines.     

Effects of Milnacipran and Pindolol on Extracellular Noradrenaline and Serotonin Levels in Guinea Pig Hypothalamus

Abstract: Milnacipran, a dual noradrenaline (NA) and serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine, 5-HT) uptake inhibitor, increased extracellular levels of NA and 5-HT in hypothalamus of freely moving guinea pigs as measured by microdialysis. The basal levels of both monoamines, which were tetrodotoxin sensitive, were increased in a dose-dependent manner and to a similar extent after the intraperitoneal administration of milnacipran (10 and 40 mg/kg i.p.). Levels of the NA metabolite 4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenylglycol (MHPG) were decreased by milnacipran at 10 and 40 mg/kg i.p., whereas those of the 5-HT metabolite 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5-HIAA) showed no effect. Subcutaneous injection of 5-HT_1A and β-adrenergic receptor antagonist (−)-pindolol alone, at 10 mg/kg, had no effect on the extracellular levels of NA or 5-HT. The concomitant administration of (−)-pindolol (10 mg/kg s.c.) with milnacipran (10 mg/kg i.p.) increased severalfold the effect of milnacipran on the extracellular levels of NA and 5-HT. These results indicate that milnacipran, by blocking the uptake of NA and 5-HT, increases virtually equipotently the extracellular levels of NA and 5-HT, confirming previous in vitro studies. In addition, the antagonism of 5-HT_1A autoreceptors by (−)-pindolol potentiates the action of milnacipran on both NA and 5-HT systems, without modifying the ratio of these activities.     

Mechanisms of heterosynaptic facilitation in molluscan neurons

This review is focused on the analysis of research data obtained in one of the models of conditioned reflex, heterosynaptic facilitation (HSF), in the molluscan nervous system. Our experiments were performed on identified giant command neurons LS1 and PS1 of the freshwater snail Planorbarius corneus. HSF was elicited during the electrical stimulation of two nerves: pallial (the analog of unconditioned stimulation — US) and one of the cerebral nerves (the analog of the conditioned stimulation — CS). The degree of HSF manifestation depended not on the intensity of the synaptic response of the giant neuron to US, but the efficacy of the connection between the pallial nerve and neurosecretory neurons surrounding the command neuron of the mesocerebrum. It is demonstrated that HSF develops due to the diffuse neurohumoral action of serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine — 5-HT) on the postsynaptic structures, but not as a result of local synaptic action on the presynaptic mechanism. Approximately 70% of US cases of 5-HT application induced a four- to six-fold increase in amplitude of the excitatory postsynaptic potential (EPSP) and acetylcholine (ACh) response. Both responses are N-cholinergic and depend on the membrane permeability to Na⁺ and K⁺. In 30% of the cases, ACh response diminished simultaneously with EPSP increase. The 5-HT effect on EPSP and ACh responses were mimicked by the action of phosphodiersterase blockers and adenylate cyclase activators. Thus, the activation of the adenylate cyclase system following 5-HT action facilitates the postsynaptic mechanism underlying HSF formation in command neurons of Planorbarius corneus. Dopamine (DA) and noradrenaline (NA) blocked EPSP and simultaneously increased the amplitude of ACh response. These monoamines were also blocked HSF. The wash-out of catecholamines following HSF blockade enhanced the restoration and subsequent prolongation of synaptic facilitation. It is thus concluded that DA or NA may control the HSF intensity and duration under natural conditions of the nervous system in the molluscs.Neirofiziologiya/Neurophysiology, Vol. 25, No. 3, pp. 224–232, May–June, 1993.     

Brain monoamines are involved in mediating the action of neurohypophyseal peptide hormones on ethanol tolerance

Two doses (0.3 and 3 ng peptide/animal) of oxytocin (OXT) and lysine-8-vasopressin (LVP) were earlier found to inhibit the development of tolerance to the hypothermic effect of ethanol in mice upon icv. administration. In the present paper the possible central monoaminergic correlates of the behavioral data were investigated. In tolerant animals the steady-state level of noradrenaline (NA) was increased in the hypothalamus, as was that of dopamine (DA) in the medulla oblongata; the serotonin (5-HT) and DA levels were decreased in the striatum as compared to those in the non-tolerant control. In the peptide-pretreated animals the NA level was increased in the hypothalamus, the DA level in the striatum, and the 5-HT level in the hippocampus and striatum. Opposite changes were observed in the steady-state levels of the monoamines in the hippocampus and striatum as compared to those in the tolerant controls. The data suggest that the central monoamines may be involved in mediating the actions of neurohypophyseal peptides on ethanol tolerance.     

Berberine produces antidepressant-like effects in the forced swim test and in the tail suspension test in mice

This study investigated the effect of berberine (BER) in the mouse forced swim test (FST) and in the tail suspension test (TST), two models predictive of antidepressant activity. We also investigated the antidepressant-like mechanism of BER by the combination of the desipramine [DES, an inhibitor of reuptake of noradrenaline (NA) and serotonin (5-HT)], maprotiline (MAP, selective NA reuptake inhibitor), fluoxetine (FLU, selective 5-HT reuptake inhibitor) and moclobemide [MOC, monoamine oxidase (MAO) A inhibitor). Then we further measured the levels of monoamines [NA, dopamine (DA) and 5-HT) in mice striatum, hippocampus and frontal cortex. The results show that BER (10, 20 mg/kg, p.o.), significantly reduced the immobility time during the FST and the TST. The immobility time after treatment with BER (20 mg/kg, p.o.) in FST was augmented by DES, FLU and MOC, and not affected by MAP. Furthermore, BER (20 mg/kg, p.o.) increased NA and 5-HT levels in the hippocampus and frontal cortex. Our findings support the view that BER exerts antidepressant-like effect. The antidepressant-like mechanism of BER may be related to the increase in NA and 5-HT levels in the hippocampus and frontal cortex.     

Role of monoamines in the recovery of the conditioned reflex activity of rats following extirpation of the frontal cortex

The influence of frontal cortex extirpation on the amount of monoamines in the brain structures was investigated in chronic experiments on rats trained according to the method of motor feeding reflexes with bilateral reinforcement. Monoamine levels were measured by high performance liquid chromatography with electrochemical detection. By the ninth day after the ablation serotonin (5-HT) and dopamine (DA) levels were significantly reduced in the cortex and the striatum, respectively, while noradrenaline ++ (NA), 5-HT, dihydroxyphenylacetic and 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid levels in raphe nuclei and locus coeruleus were increased. The level of conditioned reflex reproduction was 39% on the light and 33% on the sound stimulus. The involvement of monoamines in the recovery of conditioned reflexes after frontal cortex extirpation is discussed.     

Mass Fragmentographic Analysis of Monoamine Metabolites in the Spinal Cord of Rat After the Administration of Morphine

Abstract: A mass fragmentographic method was used in which homovanillic acid (HVA), methoxyhydroxyphenylglycol (MHPG), and 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5-HIAA) were measured from a single sample. The results describe the effect of morphine on the metabolism of the major monoamines, dopamine (DA), noradrenaline (NA), and 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) in the spinal cord. Morphine has very little effect on the metabolism of DA and NA in the spinal cord. However, morphine causes a significant increase in the metabolism of spinal 5-HT. The increase in 5-HIAA induced by morphine is not restricted to the dorsal horn. The three main functional regions of the cord—dorsal horn (sensory), zona intermedia (autonomic), and ventral horn (somatic motor)—are affected to the same degree. The results indicate that morphine causes a generalized activation of serotonin neurons in the spinal cord. There appears to be little or no selectivity for those serotonergic neurons that innervate the dorsal horn. The results are discussed with reference to current data which indicate a fairly strong link between descending serotonergic nerves and the mechanism of action of morphine-induced analgesia.     

Brain amines and neocortical EEG in young and aged rats

1. Frontal and parieto-occipital electroencephalography (EEG) of young (4 months-old) and aged (17 and 22 months-old) Wistar rats were analyzed, both during movement and during waking immobility. 2. The levels of monoamines, serotonin and their metabolites were measured from the frontal cortex, parieto-occipital cortex, hippocampus, brainstem and midbrain. 3. In aged rats, as compared to young rats, the most apparent changes of the quantitative EEG spectrum were the decreased amplitude of alpha (5-10 Hz) and beta (10-20 Hz) frequency bands in the frontal and parieto-occipital cortices during both movement and waking immobility behavior (p less than 0.05). 4. The levels of dopamine (DA), homovanillinic acid (HVA), serotonin (5-HT), 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5-HIAA) or the ratios of 5-HT/5-HIAA and DA/HVA did not differ between young and aged rats in any brain region studied, with the exceptions of brainstem DA and parieto-occipital 5-HIAA, which were elevated in aged rats (p less than 0.05). 5. In the frontal cortex, hippocampus and midbrain, noradrenaline (NA) levels of aged rats were slightly increased as compared to young rats (p less than 0.05). 6. NA levels of the parieto-occipital cortex and brainstem did not change during aging. 7. Furthermore, there were no clear correlations between the decreased amplitude of the quantitative EEG spectrum and monoamine or serotonin concentrations, or the ratios of 5-HT/5-HIAA and DA/HVA in the cerebral cortex of aging Wistar rat.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Regeneration of monoamine-containing axons in the developing and adult spinal cord of the rat following intraspinal 6-OH-dopamine injections or transections

Summary Growth of descending noradrenaline (NA) and 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) axons in the rat spinal cord during ontogenesis and following mechanical or chemical, 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OH-DA) induced, axotomy, was studied with the Falck-Hillarp histochemical fluorescence method for monoamines.The major NA and 5-HT axon bundles and terminal innervation areas are present already at birth and an essentially mature pattern of innervation is reached after two weeks.Complete degeneration of both 5-HT and NA nerves in the distal segment is obtained by a transection of the spinal cord. Sprouting of the cut monoamine fibers into the necrotic zone and scar tissue is vigorous in both immature and mature animals, but regeneration into the distal segment is very poor.Selective degeneration of the descending NA axons and terminals is obtained by a localized intraspinal 6-OH-DA injection. Thus, the 5-HT fiber systems as well as all other parts of the spinal cord are left intact. The method should therefore prove useful for evaluating the exact functional role of the NA and 5-HT neuron systems in the spinal cord.Reinnervation of the distal part of the spinal cord by new NA fibers following 6-OH-DA induced denervation is described. This process is faster in younger animals but takes place also in adult animals. The present evidence suggests that reinnervation mainly is the result of downgrowth of the axotomized fibers, but growth in the form of collateral sprouting from a few possibly surviving fibers in the distal region may also contribute. Reinnervation lead to a normal innervation pattern within 1–2 months in the various age groups.It is suggested that the poor regeneration of many spinal nerve tracts often reported in the literature following transection of the spinal cord is due to extraneuronal factors such as scar tissue and impaired circulation rather than to the nerves per se since reinnervation by NA nerves was very poor following mechanical transection but good following chemical, 6-OH-DA-induced axotomy.     

Comparative pharmacological studies on butriptyline and some related standard tricyclic antidepressants.

Butriptyline was compared with imipramine and other tricyclic antidepressants for its ability to modify: (a) contractions of the cat nictitating membrane induced by noradrenaline (NA) and 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT), (b) the adrenergic neuron blocking action of guanethidine in the guinea pig vas deferns, (c) the rabbit's electroencephalogram (EEG) and physostigmine arousal, and (d) the sleep pattern of the rat. Imipramine and amitriptyline potentiated the NA and 5-HT effects on the nictitating membrane and antagonized the inhibitory actions of guanethidine in the guinea pig vas deferens, whereas iprindole and butriptyline were ineffective. These results are consistent with the ability of these drugs to block the neuronal uptake of catecholamines. Butriptyline was a potent blocker of the arousal reaction induced by physostigmine. Butriptyline (20--30 mg/kg) and amitriptyline (10--20 mg/kg) reduced rapid eye movement sleep with a conmitant increase in non-rapid eye movement sleep. This may be a reflection of the dual activity observed in the clinic with these compounds, namely, antidepressant and antianxiety effects.