Imipramine and its metabolites in human brain

Abstract

Abstract A quantitative and qualitative thin-layer chromatographic study of the distribution of imipramine and its metabolites in 13 different regions of the brain in a fatal case of intoxication has been made. A quantitative thin-layer chromatographic method for in situ determination of imipramine and desipramine has been developed. The concentration of imipramine ranged from 4–36 μg g−1 and of desipramine from 0–8 μg g−1 in different parts of the brain. 8 identified and 8 unidentified metabolites were detected in the different parts of the brain. Among the identified were hydroxy-, N-oxide, and iminodibenzyl-metabolites. The metabolic pattern found corresponds closely to the pattern found in human heart tissue and in urine from patients given imipramine.