Effects of subchronic minaprine on dopamine release in the ventral striatum and on immobility in the forced swimming test.

Subchronic (5 mg/kg daily for 9 consecutive days) but not acute minaprine treatment enhanced in vivo dopamine release in the limbic part of the striatum of rats as revealed by intracerebral microdialysis. Moreover, the same subchronic treatment with minaprine reduced immobility in the forced swimming test. The anti-immobility effect of minaprine was not evident after a single injection of the antidepressant. Finally, the subchronic treatment with minaprine was devoid of effects in an activity test. These results suggest that enhanced dopaminergic transmission may contribute to the pharmacological and clinical profile of this drug.