New trends in pharmacology.

Among the factors influencing the arterial blood pressure the neural control through the autonomic nervous system is of paramount significance. The sympathetic division of this system holds a key position in this regard and its neural transmission mechanisms represent a well established target for pharmacological interference aimed at lowering blood pressure. This presentation will first deal with the morphological and physiological basis for blood pressure control through the sympathetic nervous system and the various possibilities for antihypertensive drug action through this system. Special attention will be drawn to recent advances in catecholamine research which may offer new leads in the development of blood pressure lowering agents. A second topic in this review will be some remarks on other pharmacological principles for interference with vascular control apart from the sympathetic system, particularly the vasodilator principle.