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Enhanced Noradrenergic Neuronal Activity Increases Homovanillic Acid Levels in Cerebrospinal Fluid
Author(s) -
Scheinin Harry
Publication year - 1986
Publication title -
journal of neurochemistry
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.75
H-Index - 229
eISSN - 1471-4159
pISSN - 0022-3042
DOI - 10.1111/j.1471-4159.1986.tb00662.x
Subject(s) - homovanillic acid , idazoxan , dopaminergic , medicine , endocrinology , metabolite , cerebrospinal fluid , agonist , medetomidine , chemistry , dopamine , antagonist , receptor , serotonin , prazosin , heart rate , blood pressure
Idazoxan, a highly specific and selective α 2 ‐adrenoceptor antagonist, caused a dose‐dependent increase in the concentration of homovanillic acid (HVA) a metabolite of 3.4‐dihydroxyphenylethylamine, in cisternal CSF of freely moving rats. This increase in HVA level could be antagonized by the α 2 ‐adrenoceptor agonist medetomidine. The increase was directly proportional to the concurrent elevation in level of 3‐methoxy‐4‐hydroxyphenylglycol, a metabolite of noradrenaline, in the CSF of individual rats and followed a similar time course. It is suggested that the HVA level in CSF may be increased under conditions of enhanced noradrenergic activity and that, in such situations, it reflects noradrenergic rather than dopaminergic neuronal activity. Care should be taken, therefore, when changes in central dopaminergic activity are assessed by measurements of HVA level in CSF.