Midbrain adrenergic mechanisms modulating flight behaviour induced by hypothalamic stimulation.

The present study was carried out in ten cats of either sex. Flight response was obtained by electrical stimulation of dorsomedial regions of preoptic area (A13-14.5, L3.5 V-3.5 to -3.7) and lateral hypothalamic regions (A12.5, L2.5-3.5, V-3.7). It consisted of a goal directed attempt to get out of the cage with a vigorous leaping to foot. Norepinephrine when microinjected in 10 micrograms doses into pretectal area of midbrain (A3.5, 3.0, V+1.0 to +1.5 mm) significantly lowered the mean current strength from 640uA to 420uA; clonidine, an alpha-2 agonist in 5 micrograms dose when microinjected into the same locus also significantly lowered the mean current strength to the same level. On the other hand yohimbine, an alpha-2 blocker in 5 micrograms dose when microinjected in to the same locus significantly increased the mean current strength from 640 to 970 uA. These results indicate that hypothalamically induced flight response is mediated via the alpha-2 adrenoceptive mechanism operating at the midbrain level. Control microinjection of normal saline and propylene glycol in similar volumes failed to produce any changes in current strength.