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Related Concept Videos

Adrenergic Neurons: Neurotransmission01:27

Adrenergic Neurons: Neurotransmission

Postganglionic sympathetic fibers (except those supplying the sweat glands) releasing noradrenaline or norepinephrine are called noradrenergic or adrenergic neurons. Noradrenaline, dopamine, adrenaline, or epinephrine are collectively called "catecholamines" as they contain a catechol moiety and an amine side chain. The five stages of neurotransmitter release involve their synthesis, storage, release, reuptake and metabolism.
Synthesis: Catecholamine synthesis requires tyrosine, which is taken...
Adrenergic Receptors: β Subtype01:26

Adrenergic Receptors: β Subtype

β-adrenoceptors have varied sensitivities towards adrenaline, noradrenaline, and isoprenaline. The order of agonist potency is as follows:
Isoprenaline > Adrenaline > Noradrenaline
Neurotransmitter binding to these receptors causes activation of adenylyl cyclase resulting in increased concentrations of cAMP and modulation of calcium ion channels within the cell. They are further classified into β1, β2, and β3 subtypes.
β1-adrenoceptors: β1-adrenoceptors have equal affinities for...
Drugs Affecting Neurotransmitter Synthesis01:29

Drugs Affecting Neurotransmitter Synthesis

Drugs affecting neurotransmitter synthesis can impact the adrenergic neuron and the synthesis of neurotransmitters. For example, α-methyltyrosine and carbidopa target specific enzymes involved in catecholamine synthesis. α-methyltyrosine inhibits the enzyme tyrosine hydroxylase, which converts tyrosine into dopamine. By blocking this enzyme, α-methyltyrosine reduces dopamine production and other catecholamines. Carbidopa, on the other hand, inhibits the enzyme dopa decarboxylase, which converts...
Adrenergic Receptors (Adrenoceptors): Classification01:27

Adrenergic Receptors (Adrenoceptors): Classification

Adrenergic receptors, or adrenoceptors, respond to the autonomic neurotransmitter noradrenaline and other endogenous catecholamine agonists. They are classified into two main families, α and β, based on their pharmacological response and are further subdivided depending on their location, elicited response, and affinity to specific agonists or antagonists.
α-Adrenoceptors
α-Adrenoceptors are classified into two main subtypes: α1 and α2. The α1 adrenoceptors, which are found on postsynaptic...
Adrenergic Receptors: ɑ Subtype01:31

Adrenergic Receptors: ɑ Subtype

Adrenoceptors are classified into α and ꞵ classes based on their potencies to catecholamine agonists. α-adrenoceptors show the following order of catecholamine potency:
Adrenaline ≥ Noradrenaline >> Isoprenaline
α-adrenoceptors are further divided into α1 and α2-adrenoceptors.
α1-Adrenoceptors: These receptors are located postsynaptically on the effector organs and cause constriction of smooth muscle mediated by activation of phospholipase C—inositol-1,4,5-trisphosphate...
Drugs Affecting Neurotransmitter Release or Uptake01:21

Drugs Affecting Neurotransmitter Release or Uptake

Certain drugs can affect how neurotransmitters called catecholamines, are released or taken back up in the adrenergic neuron. They can have different effects on the body's sympathetic transmission. Reserpine, a natural compound found in the Rauwolfia shrub, blocks a transporter called vesicular monoamine transporter (VMAT), which leads to a buildup of catecholamines in the cell and reduces sympathetic transmission. Another drug called guanethidine works in multiple ways, including blocking...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 31, 2026

Neurodevelopmental Reflex Testing in Neonatal Rat Pups
09:35

Neurodevelopmental Reflex Testing in Neonatal Rat Pups

Published on: April 24, 2017

Changes in postnatal norepinephrine alter alpha-2 adrenergic receptor development.

J D Sanders1, H K Happe, D B Bylund

  • 1Department of Pharmacology and Experimental Neuroscience, 985800 Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198-5800, USA.

Neuroscience
|July 12, 2011
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Norepinephrine (NE) influences alpha-2 adrenergic receptor (A2AR) development differently in young versus mature brains. Manipulating NE levels during development impacts A2AR density and function long-term.

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Published on: November 14, 2018

Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Pharmacology

Background:

  • Alpha-2 adrenergic receptors (A2AR) are crucial for brain function and are abundant in the developing brain.
  • Norepinephrine (NE) is implicated in brain maturation, suggesting a role in A2AR development.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate how norepinephrine absence or excess during brain development affects alpha-2 adrenergic receptor density and function.
  • To compare the developmental regulation of A2AR by NE with its regulation in the mature brain.

Main Methods:

  • Used N-(2-chloroethyl)-N-ethyl-2-bromobenzylamine hydrochloride (DSP4) to decrease NE levels and methylazoxymethanol acetate (MAM) to increase NE levels in developing rodents.
  • Assayed A2AR density using [(3)H]RX821002 autoradiography.
  • Examined A2AR functionality and high-affinity state using [(35)S]GTPγS and [(125)I]p-iodoclonidine autoradiography, respectively.

Main Results:

  • DSP4-induced NE absence on postnatal day 3 led to transient A2AR decreases, with recovery by postnatal day 15-25, and no change in high-affinity state by postnatal day 25.
  • DSP4 lesions in mature brain increased A2AR high-affinity state, contrasting with developmental effects.
  • MAM-induced NE excess during development significantly increased cortical A2AR density from postnatal day 25 to 65.

Conclusions:

  • Norepinephrine's regulation of alpha-2 adrenergic receptors differs substantially between the developing and mature brain.
  • NE plays a critical role in the developmental trajectory of A2AR, with lasting implications for receptor function.