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Catecholamines in the Median Eminence: New Evidence for a Major Noradrenergic Input

Nature volume 243, pages 465–467 (1973)Cite this article

Abstract

THE median eminence of the hypothalamus contains large amounts of hypothalamic hormones (releasing factors)1, but the cellular localization of these hormones is unknown. In contrast, there is convincing evidence, from fluorescence histochemical studies, for the existence of a dopaminergic system with neuronal cell bodies in the arcuate nucleus, whose axons project into the external layer of the median eminence2. Deafferentation studies combined with fluorescence3,4 or electron microscopy5 have suggested that there may also be a noradrenergic component in the innervation of the median eminence. We now report additional biochemical evidence supporting the existence of a substantial noradrenergic input to this brain area. We also describe the properties of a dopamine (DA) uptake system in the median eminence.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. MRC Neurochemical Pharmacology Unit, Department of Pharmacology, University of Cambridge, Medical School, Hills Road, Cambridge

    A. C. CUELLO, A. S. HORN, A. V. P. MACKAY & L. L. IVERSEN

Authors
  1. A. C. CUELLO
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  2. A. S. HORN
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  3. A. V. P. MACKAY
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  4. L. L. IVERSEN
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CUELLO, A., HORN, A., MACKAY, A. et al. Catecholamines in the Median Eminence: New Evidence for a Major Noradrenergic Input. Nature 243, 465–467 (1973). https://doi.org/10.1038/243465a0

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