R-citalopram prevents the neuronal adaptive changes induced by escitalopram.

Full Abstract

This study examined the long-term effects of the antidepressant escitalopram on rat serotonin (5-HT) neuronal activity and hippocampal neuroplasticity. In the dorsal raphe nucleus, a 2-week treatment with escitalopram (10 mg/kg/day, subcutaneous) did not modify the firing activity of 5-HT neurons, whereas a cotreatment with R-citalopram (20 mg/kg/day, subcutaneous) decreased it. In the dentate gyrus of dorsal hippocampus, escitalopram increased significantly (57%) the number of de novo cells and this was prevented by a cotreatment with R-citalopram. The present results support the role of the allosteric modulation of the 5-HT transporter in the regulation of the recovery of 5-HT neuronal activity and long-lasting hippocampal cellular plasticity induced by escitalopram, two adaptive changes presumably associated with the antidepressant response.

Author information

Author/s: Mnie-Filali, Ouissame (O); Faure, Céline (C); Mansari, Mostafa El (ME); Lambás-Señas, Laura (L); Bérod, Anne (A); Zimmer, Luc (L); Sánchez, Connie (C); Haddjeri, Nasser (N);

Affiliation: Laboratory of Neuropharmacology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University Lyon 1, Lyon Cedex, France.

Journal and publication information

Publication Type: Journal Article; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

Journal: Neuroreport (Neuroreport), published in England. (Language: eng)

Reference: 2007-Oct; vol 18 (issue 15) : pp 1553-6

Dates: Created 2007/09/21; Completed 2007/11/20;

PMID: 17885600, status: MEDLINE (last retrieval date: 2/18/2009, IMS Date: )

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