The mechanism of cerebrovascular vasoconstriction in response to locus coeruleus stimulation

Stimulation of the locus coeruleus in 11 Macaca nemestrina monkeys resulted in a frequency-dependent increase in internal carotid resistance (vasoconstriction) and a frequency-dependent decrease in external carotid resistance (vasodilation). The internal carotid constrictor response is maximal at low frequency stimulation (5 s-1), and decreases as frequency of stimulation is increased or decreased. It is blocked by the non-specific alpha-adrenoceptor blocker phentolamine and the alpha-2 adrenoceptor blocker yohimbine, but is unaffected by the alpha-1 adrenoceptor blocker prazosin. It is concluded that the cerebral vasoconstrictor response to locus coeruleus stimulation is mediated by alpha-2 adrenoceptors.