Indirect sympathomimetic agents and cerebral blood flow and metabolism.

The effects upon cerebral blood flow (CBF) and oxygen consumption (CMRO2) of the infusion into the internal carotid artery of tyramine and amphetamine were investigated in 24 anaesthetized baboons. The infusion of tyramine was without effect upon CBF and CMRO2 at normocapnia, even at concentrations which significantly raised arterial blood pressure. However, marked reductions in cerebral blood flow were noted at hypercapnia during the infusion of tyramine (2.5 X 10(-7) moles/kg/min). The infusion of amphetamine (7.5 X 10(-10) moles/kg/min) resulted in significant increases in CBF (32%) and CMRO2 (37%). However, an increased concentration of amphetamine (2.5 X 10(-7) moles/kg/min) significantly reduced CBF (22%) and CMRO2 (20%). It is suggested that amphetamine, by virtue of being able to cross the blood--brain barrier and interact with the cerebral monoamine systems, is able to influence cerebral blood flow by inducing changes in cerebral metabolism, and that the minimal reactivity of the cerebral circulation to the infusion of tyramine is the result of the inability of tyramine to cross the blood--brain barrier.