Decreased beta-adrenergic receptors in rat brain after chronic administration of the selective serotonin uptake inhibitor fluoxetine

Fluoxetine, a novel antidepressant compound that potently and selectively inhibits serotonin uptake, was chronically administered to laboratory rats. Using in vitro receptor autoradiographic techniques, we found that the binding of [³H]-dihydroalprenolol ([³H]-DHA) decreased significantly in frontal cortex layers. Analysis of saturation experiments indicated that the reduction was due to a change in number but not affinity of [³H-DHA binding sites. The data support the hypothesis that the mechanism of action of most antidepressant compounds involves a change in beta-adrenergic receptor function.