Desensitization by Antidepressants of Central Norepinephrine Receptor Systems Coupled to Adenylate Cyclasea

The experimental results discussed in this paper provide evidence that antidepressant-induced attenuation of the NE receptor-coupled adenylate cyclase system in brain and the down-regulation of its beta adrenoceptor subpopulation result in a net deamplification of the NE signal. The desensitization of the NE receptor system requires an unhindered occupancy of the receptor by the agonist NE. Following adrenalectomy, the non-beta population of NE …