Effect of sympathetic stimulation on the blood brain barrier dysfunction induced by amphetamine and by epileptic seizures

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Abstract
Stimulation of the sympathetic nerves to the brain enables the resistance vessels to withstand higher blood pressure, i.e., to prevent blood-brain barrier (BBB) dysfunction and overperfusion in acute hypertension. When hypertension occurs concomitantly with a metabolic vasodilatation, e.g., during epileptic seizures and after amphetamine-administration, protein leakage in the brain is more pronounced than in hypertension. Unilateral stimulation of the cervical sympathetic chain during the administration of amphetamine or bicuculline, the latter a GABA-receptor blocking substance that induces epileptic activity, attenuated the leakage of Evans blue-albumin and 125IHSA [human serum albumin] into rat brain. The results show a prophylactic effect of sympathetic stimulation when hypertension is combined with a matabolically induced vasodilatation. The sympathetic nerves may constrict both extracerebral arteries and intracerebral resistance vessels. The effect of unilateral stimulation on the BBB was bilateral under the experimental conditions.