beta1- and beta2-Adrenergic receptors in rat cerebral cortex are independently regulated.

Repeated administration of the tricyclic antidepressant desmethylimipramine to adult rats for 10 days caused a 40% decrease in the density of beta1-adrenergic receptors in the cerebral cortex but had no effect on the density of beta2-adrenergic receptors. Conversely, destruction of noradrenergic neurons by administration of 6-hydroxydopamine to neonatal rats caused a 64% increase in the density of beta1-adrenergic receptors in adult cerebral cortex with no change in the density of beta2-adrenergic receptors. These results suggest that the beta-adrenergic receptors in rat cortex involved in neuronal function are primarily of the beta1 subtype.