Stress and beta-adrenergic receptor binding in the rat's brain

The effect of acute and chronic electric shocks on beta-adrenergic receptor binding in the rat's brain was investigated. Beta-adrenergic receptor subsensitivity in the cortex was induced by chronic shocks, but not by acute shocks. This reduction appears to be due to a decreased number of receptors. It seems that stress, by increasing intrasynaptic norepinephrine levels resulting from an accelerated turnover rate, causes beta-adrenergic receptor subsensitivity.