Evidence for central alpha-adrenergic transmission in a cardio-inhibitory response from the rabbit hypothalamus

The heart rate of the anaesthetized rabbit was slowed by electrical stimulation of the hypothalamus with 7-9 sec trains of 250-330 microA pulses, duration 1 msec, frequency 60 Hz. This vagally-mediated cardio-decelerator response was attenuated in a dose-dependent manner after intravenous administration of phenoxybenzamine (0.01-5 mg/kg), phentolamine (0.01-3 mg/kg) or yohimbine (0.1-5 mg/kg). The attenuation of the cardio-decelerator response was not due to any vagolytic action of these drugs nor to block of the baroreceptor reflex, but appeared to be due to a central block of pathways descending from the hypothalamus. Propranolol, haloperidol, pimozide and spiperone did not show this central blocking action except in very large doses when there was evidence of some alpha-adrenoceptor blockade.