Interaction of antidepressants with 4-aminopyridine

Systemic administration of 4-Aminopyridine at a dose of 4 mg/kg (4-AP) induces hypothermia in mice. Scopolamine (ED50 = 0.26 mg/kg) and two tricyclic antidepressants, desipramine (ED50 = 1.82 mg/kg) and IM/P/3/4 (ED50 = 8.95 mg/kg) completely antagonize 4-AP-induced hypothermia, whereas minaprine (0.1-0.25 mg/kg), a non-tricyclic antidepressant, reverts only 45% of the maximal effect of 4-AP. Oxotremorine at a dose of 0.05 mg/kg (OXO) induces a hypothermic effect comparable to that of 4-AP. Scopolamine (ED50 = 0.011 mg/kg) completely reverts OXO-induced hypothermia whereas desipramine and IM/P/3/4 never produce more than 60% of antagonism over a wide range of doses. Minaprine does not affect OXO-induced hypothermia. These results suggest that the interaction of antidepressants with cholinergic function occurs mainly at the pre-synaptic level.