Thyroid function and reversal by antidepressant drugs of depressive-like behavior (escape deficits) in rats.

Several investigations have suggested that a special relationship exists between thyroid function and affective disorders and/or therapeutic response to antidepressants. The present study shows that the reversal by clomipramine, desipramine, imipramine and nialamide of depressive-like behavior in rats (escape deficits produced by previous exposure to uncontrollable stress) was markedly attenuated in hypothyroid rats (propylthiouracil, 0.05% in the drinking water). Conversely, the effect of these same antidepressants was significantly hastened in euthyroid rats given daily triiodothyronine. This supports the notion of intricate thyroid/CNS interactions in the mechanisms of action of antidepressant drugs.