Antagonism by d,1-propranolol of imipramine effects in mice.

Three agents with known or suspected antidepressant activity, imipramine, salbutamol and dexamphetamine, were active in animal tests predictive of an antidepressant effect in man: antagonism of the hypothermia induced by reserpine, by oxotremorine or by a high dose of apomorphine, and the potentiation of the yohimbine-induced toxicity. These effects were antagonized by d,1-propranolol, suggesting that the stimulation of beta-adrenergic receptors could be a common mechanism underlying their effects. These results agree with the noradrenergic hypothesis of the pathophysiology of affective disorders.