Neuropharmacology
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This study tested the hypothesis that local cerebral O2 supply and consumption are not precisely balanced and that vascular alpha adrenoceptors affect this equilibrium. Twenty-two male Long-Evans rats were used in this study. Cerebral blood flow was determined in six regions, using 4-iodo [N-methyl-14C]antipyrine. ⋯ The average value increased slightly but significantly to 62 +/- 8%. Thus, N-methyl chlorpromazine eliminated many microregions of high O2 extraction. This indicated that vascular alpha adrenoceptors limit cerebral blood flow to some of the brain regions.