The effect of nerve stimulation on the axonal transport of noradrenaline and dopamine-beta-hydroxylase.

1 A method for stimulating the lumbar sympathetic outflow from the spinal cord of the rat is described which does not require artificial respiration of the animal.2 In some, but not all experiments continuous stimulation at 2 Hz or intermittently at 10 Hz accelerated the rate at which noradrenaline and dopamine-beta-hydroxylase accumulated central to a ligature on the sciatic nerve by approximately 40%.3 It is concluded that, although nervous activity is not necessary for axonal transport of transmitter granules in sympathetic neurones, intense nervous activity may accelerate the rate of granule transport.