The effects of certain drugs on the uptake and release of [3H]noradrenaline in rat whole brain homogenates.

Twelve drugs were studied with respect to their effects on inhbition of neuronal uptake of [3H]noradrenaline ([3H]NA) and on release of this amine from presynaptic nerve terminals. An in vitro method, using a crude synaptosomal homogenate prepared from rat whole brain, was employed. All drugs tested were found to produce some release of [3H]NA although tyramine was by far the most potent drug in this respect; tripelennamine and cocaine were observed to produce the least release.