Biomaterial Database

Activation of lateral geniculate neurons by norepinephrine: mediation by an alpha-adrenergic receptor. 1980

M A Rogawski, and G K Aghajanian

Adrenergic receptors in the vicinity of neurons in the lateral geniculate nucleus (LGN) of the rat were pharmacologically characterized using extracellular single-cell recording and microiontophoretic techniques. Application of norepinephrine (NE) at low iontophoretic currents (1-15 nA) produced a delayed activation of most LGN neurons. This activation was mimicked by various sympathomimetic amines. The relative potency series of agonists was typical of postsynaptic alpha-adrenergic receptors: epinephrine greater than NE greater than phenylephrine greater than or equal to alpha-methylnorepinephrine greater than dopamine greater than isoproterenol. The alpha-antagonists phentolamine, piperoxane and WB-4101, when applied at low iontophoretic currents (less than 10 nA), produced a selective, dose-dependent and reversible blockade of the response to NE. The beta-antagonist sotalol had weak and variable effects at these currents. At low currents, the presynaptic alpha-agonist clonidine was also able to block the response to NE but, at higher currents, produced a partial activation of some units, suggesting that it is a weak agonist. The ability of sympathomimetic amines to activate LGN neurons correlates well with their reported affinities for brain alpha1-adrenoceptors labeled with [3H]WB-4101. It is concluded that NE activates neurons in the LGN via a postsynaptic or alpha1-adrenergic receptor.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D008297	Male		Males
D009474	Neurons	The basic cellular units of nervous tissue. Each neuron consists of a body, an axon, and dendrites. Their purpose is to receive, conduct, and transmit impulses in the NERVOUS SYSTEM.	Nerve Cells,Cell, Nerve,Cells, Nerve,Nerve Cell,Neuron
D009638	Norepinephrine	Precursor of epinephrine that is secreted by the ADRENAL MEDULLA and is a widespread central and autonomic neurotransmitter. Norepinephrine is the principal transmitter of most postganglionic sympathetic fibers, and of the diffuse projection system in the brain that arises from the LOCUS CERULEUS. It is also found in plants and is used pharmacologically as a sympathomimetic.	Levarterenol,Levonorepinephrine,Noradrenaline,Arterenol,Levonor,Levophed,Levophed Bitartrate,Noradrenaline Bitartrate,Noradrénaline tartrate renaudin,Norepinephrin d-Tartrate (1:1),Norepinephrine Bitartrate,Norepinephrine Hydrochloride,Norepinephrine Hydrochloride, (+)-Isomer,Norepinephrine Hydrochloride, (+,-)-Isomer,Norepinephrine d-Tartrate (1:1),Norepinephrine l-Tartrate (1:1),Norepinephrine l-Tartrate (1:1), (+,-)-Isomer,Norepinephrine l-Tartrate (1:1), Monohydrate,Norepinephrine l-Tartrate (1:1), Monohydrate, (+)-Isomer,Norepinephrine l-Tartrate (1:2),Norepinephrine l-Tartrate, (+)-Isomer,Norepinephrine, (+)-Isomer,Norepinephrine, (+,-)-Isomer
D011941	Receptors, Adrenergic	Cell-surface proteins that bind epinephrine and/or norepinephrine with high affinity and trigger intracellular changes. The two major classes of adrenergic receptors, alpha and beta, were originally discriminated based on their cellular actions but now are distinguished by their relative affinity for characteristic synthetic ligands. Adrenergic receptors may also be classified according to the subtypes of G-proteins with which they bind; this scheme does not respect the alpha-beta distinction.	Adrenergic Receptors,Adrenoceptor,Adrenoceptors,Norepinephrine Receptor,Receptors, Epinephrine,Receptors, Norepinephrine,Adrenergic Receptor,Epinephrine Receptors,Norepinephrine Receptors,Receptor, Adrenergic,Receptor, Norepinephrine
D011942	Receptors, Adrenergic, alpha	One of the two major pharmacological subdivisions of adrenergic receptors that were originally defined by the relative potencies of various adrenergic compounds. The alpha receptors were initially described as excitatory receptors that post-junctionally stimulate SMOOTH MUSCLE contraction. However, further analysis has revealed a more complex picture involving several alpha receptor subtypes and their involvement in feedback regulation.	Adrenergic alpha-Receptor,Adrenergic alpha-Receptors,Receptors, alpha-Adrenergic,alpha-Adrenergic Receptor,alpha-Adrenergic Receptors,Receptor, Adrenergic, alpha,Adrenergic alpha Receptor,Adrenergic alpha Receptors,Receptor, alpha-Adrenergic,Receptors, alpha Adrenergic,alpha Adrenergic Receptor,alpha Adrenergic Receptors,alpha-Receptor, Adrenergic,alpha-Receptors, Adrenergic
D003000	Clonidine	An imidazoline sympatholytic agent that stimulates ALPHA-2 ADRENERGIC RECEPTORS and central IMIDAZOLINE RECEPTORS. It is commonly used in the management of HYPERTENSION.	Catapres,Catapresan,Catapressan,Chlophazolin,Clofelin,Clofenil,Clonidine Dihydrochloride,Clonidine Hydrochloride,Clonidine Monohydrobromide,Clonidine Monohydrochloride,Clopheline,Dixarit,Gemiton,Hemiton,Isoglaucon,Klofelin,Klofenil,M-5041T,ST-155,Dihydrochloride, Clonidine,Hydrochloride, Clonidine,M 5041T,M5041T,Monohydrobromide, Clonidine,Monohydrochloride, Clonidine,ST 155,ST155
D004305	Dose-Response Relationship, Drug	The relationship between the dose of an administered drug and the response of the organism to the drug.	Dose Response Relationship, Drug,Dose-Response Relationships, Drug,Drug Dose-Response Relationship,Drug Dose-Response Relationships,Relationship, Drug Dose-Response,Relationships, Drug Dose-Response
D005071	Evoked Potentials	Electrical responses recorded from nerve, muscle, SENSORY RECEPTOR, or area of the CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM following stimulation. They range from less than a microvolt to several microvolts. The evoked potential can be auditory (EVOKED POTENTIALS, AUDITORY), somatosensory (EVOKED POTENTIALS, SOMATOSENSORY), visual (EVOKED POTENTIALS, VISUAL), or motor (EVOKED POTENTIALS, MOTOR), or other modalities that have been reported.	Event Related Potential,Event-Related Potentials,Evoked Potential,N100 Evoked Potential,P50 Evoked Potential,N1 Wave,N100 Evoked Potentials,N2 Wave,N200 Evoked Potentials,N3 Wave,N300 Evoked Potentials,N4 Wave,N400 Evoked Potentials,P2 Wave,P200 Evoked Potentials,P50 Evoked Potentials,P50 Wave,P600 Evoked Potentials,Potentials, Event-Related,Event Related Potentials,Event-Related Potential,Evoked Potential, N100,Evoked Potential, N200,Evoked Potential, N300,Evoked Potential, N400,Evoked Potential, P200,Evoked Potential, P50,Evoked Potential, P600,Evoked Potentials, N100,Evoked Potentials, N200,Evoked Potentials, N300,Evoked Potentials, N400,Evoked Potentials, P200,Evoked Potentials, P50,Evoked Potentials, P600,N1 Waves,N2 Waves,N200 Evoked Potential,N3 Waves,N300 Evoked Potential,N4 Waves,N400 Evoked Potential,P2 Waves,P200 Evoked Potential,P50 Waves,P600 Evoked Potential,Potential, Event Related,Potential, Event-Related,Potential, Evoked,Potentials, Event Related,Potentials, Evoked,Potentials, N400 Evoked,Related Potential, Event,Related Potentials, Event,Wave, N1,Wave, N2,Wave, N3,Wave, N4,Wave, P2,Wave, P50,Waves, N1,Waves, N2,Waves, N3,Waves, N4,Waves, P2,Waves, P50
D005829	Geniculate Bodies	Part of the DIENCEPHALON inferior to the caudal end of the dorsal THALAMUS. Includes the lateral geniculate body which relays visual impulses from the OPTIC TRACT to the calcarine cortex, and the medial geniculate body which relays auditory impulses from the lateral lemniscus to the AUDITORY CORTEX.	Lateral Geniculate Body,Medial Geniculate Body,Metathalamus,Corpus Geniculatum Mediale,Geniculate Nucleus,Lateral Geniculate Nucleus,Medial Geniculate Complex,Medial Geniculate Nucleus,Nucleus Geniculatus Lateralis Dorsalis,Nucleus Geniculatus Lateralis Pars Dorsalis,Bodies, Geniculate,Complex, Medial Geniculate,Complices, Medial Geniculate,Corpus Geniculatum Mediales,Geniculate Bodies, Lateral,Geniculate Bodies, Medial,Geniculate Body,Geniculate Body, Lateral,Geniculate Body, Medial,Geniculate Complex, Medial,Geniculate Complices, Medial,Geniculate Nucleus, Lateral,Geniculate Nucleus, Medial,Geniculatum Mediale, Corpus,Geniculatum Mediales, Corpus,Lateral Geniculate Bodies,Medial Geniculate Bodies,Medial Geniculate Complices,Mediale, Corpus Geniculatum,Mediales, Corpus Geniculatum,Nucleus, Geniculate,Nucleus, Lateral Geniculate,Nucleus, Medial Geniculate
D000317	Adrenergic alpha-Antagonists	Drugs that bind to but do not activate alpha-adrenergic receptors thereby blocking the actions of endogenous or exogenous adrenergic agonists. Adrenergic alpha-antagonists are used in the treatment of hypertension, vasospasm, peripheral vascular disease, shock, and pheochromocytoma.	Adrenergic alpha-Receptor Blockaders,alpha-Adrenergic Blocking Agents,alpha-Adrenergic Receptor Blockaders,alpha-Blockers, Adrenergic,Adrenergic alpha-Blockers,alpha-Adrenergic Antagonists,alpha-Adrenergic Blockers,Adrenergic alpha Antagonists,Adrenergic alpha Blockers,Adrenergic alpha Receptor Blockaders,Agents, alpha-Adrenergic Blocking,Antagonists, alpha-Adrenergic,Blockaders, Adrenergic alpha-Receptor,Blockaders, alpha-Adrenergic Receptor,Blockers, alpha-Adrenergic,Blocking Agents, alpha-Adrenergic,Receptor Blockaders, alpha-Adrenergic,alpha Adrenergic Antagonists,alpha Adrenergic Blockers,alpha Adrenergic Blocking Agents,alpha Adrenergic Receptor Blockaders,alpha Blockers, Adrenergic,alpha-Antagonists, Adrenergic,alpha-Receptor Blockaders, Adrenergic