Re-evaluation of the effects of norepinephrine on the single-unit activity of paraventricular neurosecretory neurons

Yang I. Kim, Carol A. Dudley, Robert L. Moss

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

21 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Electrical stimulation of the A1 noradrenergic region elicited predominantly an excitatory orthodromic response from paraventricular neurosecretory neurons recorded in urethane-anesthetized male rats. In a majority of cases, locally applied norepinephrine (NE) as well as A1 region stimulation excited paraventricular neurosecretory neurons. However, in some neurons including a subpopulation of putative vasopressin neurons, iontophoresed NE was inhibitory. Both excitatory and inhibitory effects of NE were selectively blocked by the α-antagonist, phentolamine, but not by the β-antagonist, timolol. In general, the results support the notion that the A1 noradrenergic input to paraventricular neurosecretory neurons is excitatory. Nevertheless, the results do not exclude the possibility that NE exerts a specific, α-receptormediated, inhibitory effect on a subpopulation of paraventricular neurons.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)103-110
Number of pages8
JournalNeuroscience Letters
Volume97
Issue number1-2
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1989 Feb 13
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • A1 noradrenergic region
  • Iontophoresis
  • Norepinephrine
  • Paraventricular nucleus
  • Phentolamine
  • Putative vasopressin neuron
  • Timolol

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Neuroscience(all)

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