Effect of minaprine on neuronal activity in the brain stem reticular formation of the rat

Extracellular single unit recordings were made in the brain stem reticular formation (RF) of urethane-anesthetized rats. Minaprine (cumulative i.v. dose of 10 mg/kg, given as 2.5, 2.5 and 5 mg/kg) has no significant effects on the RF neurons. Pentobarbital (10 mg/kg, i.v.) and scopolamine (5 mg/kg, i.v.) reduced the firing rate of the RF neurons. Minaprine (cumulative i.v. dose of 10 mg/kg, given as 2.5, 2.5 and 5 mg/kg) reversed the effects of pentobarbital and scopolamine. These observations indicate that minaprine has an ameliorating effect on the drug-induced depression of neuronal activity in the RF.