Monoamines in brain and adrenal glands of cats after electrically induced defense reaction.

The defense reaction (“sham rage”) was produced in cats by electrical stimulation of the amygdaloid nucleus or the lateral hypothalamus. After 3 hrs of intermittent stimulation a decrease of brain content of noradrenaline and adrenal gland adrenaline and noradrenaline occurred. At the same time there was an increase of normetanephrine but no change of 3-methoxytyramine. The decrease of brain noradrenaline was more marked after administration of the synthesis inhibitor α-propyl-dopacetamide (H 22/54). No changes in brain content of dopamine or 5-hydroxytryptamine were noticed.