Prazosin selectively antagonizes neuronal responses mediated by ?1-adrenoceptors in brain

Abstract

The ability of systemically and locally administered prazosin to block α₁-adrenoceptors was examined in two brain areas in the rat. Using single unit recording of neurons in the lateral geniculate and dorsal raphe nuclei, evidence was obtained for the selective blockade of α₁-adrenoceptors by both intravenous and iontophoretic prazosin. Since effective systemic doses of prazosin were within the clinical range, it appears likely that brain α₁-adrenoceptors would be blocked during prazosin therapy in humans.