Functional neuroteratology of drugs acting on adrenergic receptors

Noradrenaline neurotransmission becomes functional early in the development of the brain. Therefore, interference with this transmission by receptor agonists or antagonists, which are used clinically in various conditions in pregnancy, may alter brain development. Long-term biochemical, morphological, behavioural and electrophysiological effects have been reported after pre- or postnatal exposure of rats to adrenergic drugs, the alpha 2-agonist clonidine and the beta-antagonist propranolol in particular, and are summarized here.