α2 and α1-adrenoceptors mediate opposing actions on parasympathetic neurons

We used intracellular recording methods to analyze the membrane responses to norepinephrine in cat vesical parasympathetic ganglia. In parasympathetic neurons, norepinephrine (NE) produces a membrane hyperpolarization, a membrane depolarization often accompanied by cell firing and a biphasic potential, a hyperpolarization followed by a depolarization. We found that the NE hyperpolarization is mediated through alpha 2-adrenoceptors while the NE depolarization is mediated through alpha 1-adrenoceptors. This situation is different than in sympathetic neurons where beta-adrenoceptors mediate a NE depolarization.