Relationship between cerebrospinal fluid norepinephrine and blood pressure in neurologic patients

In 126 patients hospitalized for various diseases norepinephrine in cerebrospinal fluid correlated with blood pressure (r = 0.41, p < 0.0001). Plasma and cerebrospinal fluid norepinephrine levels correlated with heart rate. Central noradrenergic nerves help control blood pressure and may be involved in human hypertension.