beta-Adrenergic regulation of adenosine 3',5'-monophosphate concentration in brain microvessels

Norepinephrine increases the concentration of adenosine 3',5'-monophosphate (cyclic AMP) in an incubated suspension of brain microvessels. This response can be matched by other drugs that stimulate the beta receptors, but the alpha-adrenergic agonist phenylephrine is without effect; beta-adrenergic blockade abolishes the response while alpha-adrenergic blockade produces no change. The data support the contention that cerebral capillary function is subject to adrenergic neural control.