INVOLVEMENT OF BIOGENIC-AMINES AND AMINO-ACIDS IN THE CENTRAL REGULATION OF CARDIOVASCULAR HOMEOSTASIS

Biogenic amines and amino acids have been implicated in central cardio vascular homeostasis. Initially, drugs were injected into the brain an d their effects on blood pressure were investigated. Other approaches allowed endogenous neurotransmitters released in the extra cellular sp a ce of brain structures involved in cardiovascular regulation to be i dentified. As Nicolas Singewald and Athineos Philippu outline, even sl ight disturbances in blood pressure and/or isovolaemia lead to marked changes in the release rates of biogenic amines and amino acids in var ious brain structures. Blood pressure homeostasis is maintained with t he participation of several brain regions and neurotransmitters which possess the same or opposing functions when released from CNS neurones .