The effect of temperature elevation on the cerebrovascular response to noradrenaline and 5-hydroxytryptamine

Fever frequently complicates stroke and subarachnoid haemorrhage. A transient rise in transmitter monoamine levels of plasma and cerebrospinal fluid occurs in these diseases. The present study demonstrates an enhanced vasoconstrictor response of cerebral vessels to noradrenaline-but not 5-hydroxytryptamine-following a rise in temperature. The augmented response is more likely due to an impaired inactivation (re-uptake) of the amine than to an altered sensitivity of the post-synaptic alpha-adrenergic receptor, since it could be reproduced by pretreatment with cocaine. The finding indicates that it may be important to combat fever in these patients.