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The effect of clonidine withdrawal on total 3-methoxy-4-hydroxyphenylglycol in the rat brain

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Abstract

The effect of clonidine withdrawal on the brain norepinephrine system was studied in the rat. Clonidine suppresses brain total 3-methoxy-4-hydroxyphenylglycol (MHPG) significantly and no tolerance to this effect was observed up to 21 days. Cessation of clonidine treatment resulted in an elevation in the level of brain total MHPG. The suitability of the clonidine withdrawal syndrome as a model of bipolar depression is discussed.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Neurochemistry, Clarke Institute of Psychiatry, University of Toronto, 250 College Street, M5T tR8, Toronto, Ontario, Canada

    Siu W. Tang, Daiga M. Helmeste & Harvey C. Stancer

  2. Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto, 250 College Street, M5T tR8, Toronto, Ontario, Canada

    Siu W. Tang, Daiga M. Helmeste & Harvey C. Stancer

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  1. Siu W. Tang
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  2. Daiga M. Helmeste
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  3. Harvey C. Stancer
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Ontario Mental Health Foundation Research Fellow 1977–1978

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Tang, S.W., Helmeste, D.M. & Stancer, H.C. The effect of clonidine withdrawal on total 3-methoxy-4-hydroxyphenylglycol in the rat brain. Psychopharmacology 61, 11–12 (1979). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00426802

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00426802

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