Response of supraoptic magnocellular neurons to stimulation of forebrain alpha-adrenoceptors.
Effects of alpha-adrenoceptor agents on electrophysiologically and immunohistochemically identified supraoptic nucleus (SON) vasopressin (VP) units were investigated by intracarotid infusion. Clonidine, an alpha 2-adrenoceptor agonist always excited SON units and alpha 2-adrenoceptor antagonists consistently inhibited them. alpha 1-Adrenoceptor agents produced inconsistent responses. The results implicate forebrain alpha 2-adrenergic receptors in the excitation of SON VP neurons.
D000818:Animals; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000187:drug effects; D002343:Carotid Artery, Internal; D003000:Clonidine / Q000494:pharmacology; D005071:Evoked Potentials / Q000187:drug effects; D007261:Infusions, Intra-Arterial; D008297:Male; D009474:Neurons / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology; D051381:Rats; D011919:Rats, Inbred Strains; D011942:Receptors, Adrenergic, alpha / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D013495:Supraoptic Nucleus / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D014667:Vasopressins / Q000378:metabolism; D015016:Yohimbine / Q000494:pharmacology
D011942:Receptors, Adrenergic, alpha; D014667:Vasopressins; D015016:Yohimbine; D003000:Clonidine