Alpha-receptor mediated inhibition of A2 noradrenergic neurons.

A series of adrenergic agonists and antagonists was applied by iontophoresis in the vicinity of noradrenergic neurons in the nucleus commissuralis of the rat. Alpha-2 receptor-mediated inhibition of these neurons was observed with single-unit recording techniques. The excitatory effects of the alpha-2 receptor antagonist piperoxane provided evidence that these receptors are of functional significance in vivo.