Pharmacology of brain epinephrine neurons.

Neurons that contain PNMT, the epinephrine-forming enzyme, have their cell bodies in brain stem regions in rat brain and send projections mainly into other brain stem areas, hypothalamus, and spinal cord. These neurons can be affected pharmacologically by various kinds of drugs. Epinephrine neuronal systems might play a part in some pharmacologic actions of MAO inhibitors and uptake inhibitors as well as alpha and beta agonists and antagonists. PNMT inhibitors currently represent the only means of modifying epinephrine neurons pharmacologically without also altering norepinephrine or dopamine neurons in brain. The continued study of drugs affecting epinephrine neurons should be useful in elucidating functions of these neurons. Drugs that affect epinephrine neurons may be of use in the treatment of hypertension, psychiatric disorders, neuroendocrine dysfunction, and possibly other diseases.