Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 25, 2026

Isolation and Cannulation of Cerebral Parenchymal Arterioles
Published on: May 23, 2016
Parasympathetic tonic dilatory influences on cerebral vessels
Nicholas C Boysen1, Deidre Nitschke Dragon, William T Talman
1Laboratory of Neurobiology, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA.
Abstract:
Parasympathetic nerves from the pterygopalatine ganglia may participate in development of cluster headaches, in vascular responses to hypertension and in modulation of damage due to stroke. Stimulation of the nerves elicits cerebral vasodilatation, but it is not known if the nerves tonically influence cerebrovascular tone. We hypothesized that parasympathetics provide a tonic vasodilator influence and tested that hypothesis by measuring cerebral blood flow in anesthetized rats before and after removal of a pterygopalatine ganglion. Ganglion removal led to reduced cerebral blood flow without changing blood pressure. Thus, parasympathetic nerves provide tonic vasodilatory input to cerebral blood vessels.
Related Concept Videos
The Parasympathetic Nervous System
Direct-Acting Cholinergic Agonists: Pharmacological Actions
Parasympathetic Division of the ANS
Disorders of the Autonomic Nervous System
Raynaud's disease, also known as Raynaud's phenomenon, is a...
Indirect-Acting Cholinergic Agonists: Pharmacological Actions
At the neuromuscular junction, these agents work by inhibiting the breakdown of acetylcholine, allowing it to remain bound to the receptor and bind to nearby receptors. This process leads to repetitive firing of the endplate, causing muscle...
Antihypertensive Drugs: Vasodilators
