Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Concept Videos

Adrenergic Antagonists: Pharmacological Actions of β-Receptor Blockers01:27

Adrenergic Antagonists: Pharmacological Actions of β-Receptor Blockers

β-receptor blockers significantly impact the cardiovascular system by counteracting catecholamine-induced sympathetic responses. These medications decrease heart rate, contractility, and cardiac output, potentially leading to cardiac depression, life-threatening bradycardia, and death. Therapeutically, β-blockers function as mild antihypertensives and are utilized in treating angina pectoris and cardiac arrhythmias. However, nonselective β-blockers inhibit β2-receptors in bronchial smooth...
Adrenergic Antagonists: ɑ and β-Receptor Blockers01:31

Adrenergic Antagonists: ɑ and β-Receptor Blockers

Third-generation β-blockers, such as labetalol and carvedilol, represent a significant advancement in managing cardiovascular conditions. Unlike conventional β-blockers, which can induce peripheral vasoconstriction, third-generation drugs block α1 adrenoceptors. This promotes vasodilation through several mechanisms, such as increased nitric oxide production, inhibition of calcium ion entry, opening of potassium ion channels, and antioxidant action. Labetalol, for instance, is clinically...
Antihypertensive Drugs: Types of β-Blockers01:28

Antihypertensive Drugs: Types of β-Blockers

β receptors are classified into three subclasses: β1, β2, and β3. β1 receptors are primarily located in the heart and kidneys. When they get activated, they increase heart rate, contractility, and renin release. This process enhances blood pressure and aids in stress management. In contrast, β2 receptors are situated mainly in the lungs, blood vessels, and skeletal muscles. Upon activation, they trigger smooth muscle relaxation, causing bronchodilation and vasodilation. This widens airways and...
Adrenergic Antagonists: Chemistry and Classification of β-Receptor Blockers01:25

Adrenergic Antagonists: Chemistry and Classification of β-Receptor Blockers

β-adrenergic antagonists, or β-blockers, modulate the sympathetic nervous system by targeting β-adrenoceptors and inhibiting catecholamine-mediated sympathetic responses. β-blockers differ in their adrenoceptor subtype affinity, lipophilicity, and α-blocking capabilities. The history of β-blocker development began with the prototype, dichloroisoprenaline, which exhibited partial agonist activity. As a result, propranolol was developed as a pure antagonist but nonselective agent, paving the way...
Antiarrhythmic Drugs: Class II Agents as β-Adrenergic Blockers01:24

Antiarrhythmic Drugs: Class II Agents as β-Adrenergic Blockers

Adrenergic stimulation generally impacts cardiac rate and rhythm. Specifically, stimulation of the β-adrenoceptors triggers an increase in intracellular calcium ion influx and pacemaker currents, which may cause arrhythmias. Catecholamines like adrenaline also demonstrate β2-adrenoceptor-mediated hypokalemia, impacting cardiac action potential and disrupting the normal cardiac rhythm. Class II antiarrhythmic drugs are β-adrenoceptor antagonists or β-blockers, which indirectly block calcium...
Heart Failure Drugs: β-Blockers01:22

Heart Failure Drugs: β-Blockers

β-adrenergic antagonists, commonly known as β-blockers, block the effects of sympathetic neurotransmitters such as noradrenaline (NA) and adrenaline (ADR). They have several beneficial effects in heart failure treatment. They reduce heart rate, the force of contraction, and cardiac muscle relaxation. They also slow the atrial-ventricular conduction rate and raise the threshold for arrhythmias. The concentration of β-blockers determines their effects on bronchodilation, vasodilation, and...

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

Diffusion imaging markers of bipolar versus general psychopathology risk in youth at-risk.

Neuropsychopharmacology : official publication of the American College of Neuropsychopharmacology·2018
Same author

Medication use by adolescents and adults with fragile X syndrome.

Journal of intellectual disability research : JIDR·2017
Same author

Reward-related neural activity and structure predict future substance use in dysregulated youth.

Psychological medicine·2016
Same author

Predicting clinical outcome from reward circuitry function and white matter structure in behaviorally and emotionally dysregulated youth.

Molecular psychiatry·2016
Same author

Behavioral and emotional dysregulation trajectories marked by prefrontal-amygdala function in symptomatic youth.

Psychological medicine·2014
Same author

A Fuller History of the PRITE.

Academic psychiatry : the journal of the American Association of Directors of Psychiatric Residency Training and the Association for Academic Psychiatry·2014

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 21, 2026

Developing a Rat Model for Bipolar Disorder
04:42

Developing a Rat Model for Bipolar Disorder

Published on: May 2, 2025

Beta blockers in mental retardation and developmental disorders.

L E Arnold, M G Aman

    Journal of Child and Adolescent Psychopharmacology
    |July 28, 2009
    PubMed
    Summary

    Beta-blockers may help manage aggression in developmental disorders, but more research is needed. Lower doses are suggested for children and adolescents with mental retardation or developmental disorders.

    Area of Science:

    • Neuroscience
    • Psychopharmacology
    • Developmental Disorders

    Background:

    • Beta-adrenergic blockers are being explored for managing behavioral issues like aggression in individuals with mental retardation and developmental disorders.
    • Existing studies have methodological limitations, hindering definitive conclusions on treatment efficacy.

    Purpose of the Study:

    • To evaluate the effectiveness of beta-blockers in managing aggression and self-injurious behavior in developmental disorders.
    • To provide guidance on optimal dosing and specific beta-blocker selection for this patient population.

    Main Methods:

    • Review of existing literature on beta-blocker use in mental retardation and developmental disorders.
    • Discussion of optimal dosing strategies, distinguishing between central and peripheral blockade.

    Related Experiment Videos

    Last Updated: Jun 21, 2026

    Developing a Rat Model for Bipolar Disorder
    04:42

    Developing a Rat Model for Bipolar Disorder

    Published on: May 2, 2025

  • Consideration of beta-receptor subtypes in the brain and their implications for psychotropic effects.

    • Main Results:

    • Beta-blockers show potential efficacy in managing verbal aggression, physical aggression, and self-injurious behavior.
    • Lower doses of beta-blockers appear optimal for patients with mental retardation or developmental disorders, especially children and adolescents.
    • Propranolol is suggested for central blockade, while nadolol is recommended for peripheral blockade.

    Conclusions:

    • While promising, the evidence for beta-blocker efficacy in this population is not definitive.
    • Clinicians should consider empirical trials with careful patient monitoring and outcome measurement.
    • Lower doses may be preferred in patients with abnormal brain development due to potential differences in beta-receptor sensitivity.