Neuropsychopharmacology : official publication of the American College of Neuropsychopharmacology
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Neuropsychopharmacology · Sep 2000
The alpha-2A-adrenoceptor agonist, guanfacine, increases regional cerebral blood flow in dorsolateral prefrontal cortex of monkeys performing a spatial working memory task.
Research indicates that norepinephrine enhances the working memory functions of the prefrontal cortex (PFC) through actions at post-synaptic, alpha-2A adrenoceptors. The current study examined the effects of the alpha-2A adrenoreceptor agonist, guanfacine (0.7 mg/kg, i.m.), compared to saline on SPECT measures of regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF) in monkeys performing a spatial working memory task. ⋯ In contrast, guanfacine had no significant effect on rCBF in the superior temporal cortex, an auditory association area unrelated to task performance. These data are consistent with the hypothesis that alpha-2A adrenoceptor stimulation preferentially enhances functioning of the PFC.