Abstract
Varenicline, an alpha4beta2 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor partial agonist developed as a smoking cessation aid, showed antidepressant-like activity in the forced swim test in two mouse strains. In addition, a low varenicline dose significantly enhanced the effects of moderately active doses of the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor sertraline. These findings are consistent with the notion that reducing alpha4beta2 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor activity either by antagonists or by partial agonists that can partially activate or desensitize acetylcholine receptors is associated with antidepressant-like properties. These data suggest that varenicline may have antidepressant potential and can, when combined, augment antidepressant responses of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors.
Publication types
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Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
MeSH terms
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Animals
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Antidepressive Agents / administration & dosage
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Antidepressive Agents / pharmacology*
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Benzazepines / administration & dosage
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Benzazepines / pharmacology*
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Depression / drug therapy*
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Disease Models, Animal
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Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
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Drug Synergism
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Mice
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Mice, Inbred C57BL
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Mice, Inbred ICR
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Nicotinic Agonists / administration & dosage
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Nicotinic Agonists / pharmacology*
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Quinoxalines / administration & dosage
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Quinoxalines / pharmacology*
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Receptors, Nicotinic
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Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors / pharmacology
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Sertraline / pharmacology
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Swimming
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Varenicline
Substances
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Antidepressive Agents
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Benzazepines
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Nicotinic Agonists
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Quinoxalines
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Receptors, Nicotinic
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Serotonin Uptake Inhibitors
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nicotinic receptor alpha4beta2
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Sertraline
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Varenicline