Extracellular single-unit recordings from neurons in the area postrema (AP) and the nucleus tractus solitarius (NTS) in anesthetized male rats demonstrated that most cells in these regions have spontaneous activities of 5 Hz or less. Systemic angiotensin (ANG II) (50-500 ng) enhanced the activity of 55% of AP cells tested (n = 76), whereas 53% of tested NTS neurons (n = 62) were inhibited by ANG II. To determine whether these neurons were influenced specifically by circulating ANG II or by the accompanying increase in mean arterial blood pressure (BP), the effects of adrenergic agonists given intravenously on ANG II influenced neurons were also examined. Subsequently two cell types were characterized: cells responding to iv ANG II but not to the adrenergic agonist ("ANG II sensitive") and cells responding in a similar way to both agents ("BP sensitive"). Most ANG II-responsive neurons in the AP (53.5%) and the NTS (65%) were determined to be BP sensitive. These data demonstrate that ANG II influences the activity of AP neurons. In addition, there exists a second population of AP neurons apparently responsive to perturbations of the cardiovascular system. These studies further emphasize the potential roles of the AP in the regulation of body fluid balance.