Tricyclic antidepressants block N‐methyl‐d‐aspartic acid‐induced lethality in mice

Abstract

It has been suggested on the basis of in vitro studies that tricyclic antidepressants interact with the N‐methyl‐d‐aspartic acid (NMDA)‐receptor complex to block the action of NMDA. The present study showed that tricyclic antidepressants prevented lethality produced by a large dose of NMDA. The potency of the drugs in preventing NMDA‐induced lethality correlated with the inhibition of [3H]‐MK‐801 binding at the NMDA receptor complex, and not with effects on amine uptake. These in vivo data support the in vitro data of Reynolds & Miller (1988a, b). 1989 British Pharmacological Society