Involvement of a central alpha-adrenoceptor system in antidepressant potentiation of hyperthermia induced by thyrotropin releasing hormone.

Thyrotropin releasing hormone (TRH) causes hyperthermia in mice which is potentiated by tricyclic antidepressants (nortriptyline, imipramine, clomipramine, amitriptyline), the monoamine oxidase inhibitor, tranylcypromine, and various other antidepressants (maprotiline, nomifensin, viloxazine). Only iprindole is ineffective. The effect of mianserin, itself hypothermic, could not be interpreted. A property shared by the potentiating substances seems to be activation of a central adrenoceptor system. The potentiation of TRH-induced hyperthermia which seems to be specific to antidepressants might be used in the selection of antidepressants.