The effects of microiontophoretically applied trazodone on single neurones in the rat brainstem

In this microiontophoretical study trazodone (TR) was applied on rat brainstem neurones to verify its effects on spontaneous firing and neuronal responses to administrations of 5-hydroxytryptamine (5HT), noradrenaline (norepinephrine, NA) and acetylcholine (Ach). TR was able to modify the spontaneous firing likely by an indirect action, potentiated the excitatory responses to 5HT and reduced the inhibitory ones, was ineffective on the inhibitory responses to NA, while tended to antagonize the excitatory ones. Moreover TR did not show anticholinergic properties.