Abstract
The hypersecretion of ACTH produced by reserpine, syrosingopine, Ro 4-1284 and other compounds that exert a reserpine-like syndrome, is elicited by doses of the drugs which block the storage of brain amines by 50%. However, the discharge of ACTH is not related to the change in stored norepinephrine since depletion of brain norepinephrine stores by means of α-MMT does not cause ACTH hypersecretion. However, administration of reserpine to animals pretreated with α-MMT produces a degree of adrenocortical activation identical with that in control animals and closely related to blockade of serotonin storage. Since the central activity of reserpine is also related to the blockade of serotonin storage and not to that of norepinephrine, it is possible that the hypersecretion of ACTH results from the action of reserpine on neuronal pathways that monitor the anterior pituitary.
Footnotes
- Received July 25, 1962.
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