The effect of indomethacin on the local cerebral blood flow increase induced by somato-sensory stimulation.

The local cerebral blood flow in cerebral cortical and subcortical regions of the rat brain was studied with the 14C-iodoantipyrine autoradiographic technique at rest and during strong non-noxious stimulation of the nose. Patterns of local blood flow changes evoked by stimulation with and without pretreatment of indomethacin, a potent cyclooxygenase inhibitor were determined. Stimulation produced a marked heterogeneous enhancement of CBF. Indomethacin did not prevent this effect although the absolute flow levels were considerably lower in indomethacin-treated animals. Indomethacin was especially effective in reducing the cerebral cortical blood flow response to stimulation whereas the subcortical response was much less affected.