Hypertensive Effect of Brain Acetylcholinesterase Inhibition.
Abstract
Lethal or near-lethal doses of acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibitors cause respiratory depression and cardiovascular collapse. Lower doses, however, evoke a centrally-mediated increase in blood pressure. This hypertensive response occurs in a variety of animal species, including humans. The overall objective of this project was to study the central mechanisms involved in the pressor effect of AChE inhibitors and to determine the role of brain acetylcholine (ACh) in hypertensive states. To that end I believe the project was quite successful. We have defined the role of brain ACh in the central regulation of baroreceptor reflexes and have localized the site of this effect to the posterior hypothalamic nucleus. In addition, we have shown that in the spontaneously hypertensive rat, which appears to have enhanced central cholinergic activity, brain ACh is involved in maintaining the elevated blood pressure. As an offshoot of this project this last finding suggests new directions for antihypertensive therapy. (Author)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Mar 08, 1982
- Accession Number
- ADA112854
Entities
People
- Henry E. Brezenoff
Organizations
- New Jersey Medical School