Amitriptyline-induced ultrastructural changes in various structures of rat brain

The immediate effect of amitriptyline on various brain structures is characterized by the standard ultrastructural changes in neurons: emergence of numerous coated vesicles in the cytoplasm and formation of cisternae within a 3-h period. These changes are most pronounced in the sensorimotor cortex. changes in the structure of cytoplasmic organelles are reversible; they disappear 24 h after administration of amitriptyline. Astrocytes respond to the preparation by activation of lysosomes, being the most sensitive cell type of the neuroglia. Numerous synaptic vesicles are seen in the axodendritic synapses. Newly formed fibers in the neuropile may be associated with the antidepressant effect of amitriptyline.