NOREPINEPHRINE TRANSPORTER MESSENGER-RNA IS ELEVATED IN THE LOCUS-CERULEUS FOLLOWING SHORT-TERM AND LONG-TERM DESIPRAMINE TREATMENT

In situ hybridization for the norepinephrine transporter (NET) MRNA wa s performed in animals receiving short-term (2 days) and long-term (4 weeks) treatment with desipramine (DMI; 10 mg/kg, intraperitoneal). Fo llowing short-term and long-term DMI treatment, a significant (P < 0.0 5) increase in hybridization of S-35-labeled oligonucleotides to NET m RNA in the locus coeruleus was observed compared to that observed in v ehicle-treated animals. The mechanism of this increase in transporter mRNA or its involvement in the therapeutic effects of anti-depressants remains to be determined.