Effect of subthalamic stimulation of adrenal epinephrine and norepinephrine secretion in the rat.

Adrenal medullary secretion in response to subthalamic stimulation was studied in pentobarbital-anesthetized rats. Stimulation of the lateral part of the zona incerta resulted in a significant increase in epinephrine secretion. Stimulation of some other areas of the subthalamus produced a significant decrease in epinephrine as well as in norepinephrine secretion. These results suggest that in the zona incerta excitatory and inhibitory central nervous system mechanisms exist for the control of the adrenal medullary secretion.