The possible involvement of adenylate cyclase inhibition in the field potential suppression through alpha-2 adrenergic receptors in the bed nucleus of the stria terminalis

Catecholamines, such as norepinephrine (NE), cause a field potential suppression through alpha-2 adrenergic receptors in thin sections of the bed nucleus of the stria terminalis. Phosphodiesterase inhibitors or cyclic AMP (cAMP) analogues attenuate the NE-induced suppression. These results suggest that the NE-induced suppression is mediated by adenylate cyclase inhibition and a resultant decrease of intracellular cAMP content.