Degeneration of the Locus Ceruleus Noradrenergic Neurons in the Stress‐induced Depression of Rats

We produced a model of depression in rats which have been exposed to 2-weeks forced walking stress. Electron microscopic observation on the locus ceruleus (LC) cells of the model rats disclosed low dense areas, destroyed membranes, aggregation of intracellular organs, and increased microglia. Density of LC axon terminals in the frontal cortex stained with dopamine β-hydroxylase antiserum and percentage of LC cells stained with horseradish peroxidase or activated by electrical stimulation antidromically were low in the model. These indices increased in the model treated with imipramine. These findings suggest that the LC noradrenergic neurons degenerate in depression, but regenerate in remission.