Catecholamines are important transmitter substances in the autonomic and central nervous systems. These two volumes provide a comprehensive presentation of the state-of-the-art of catecholamine research and development in the past 15 years. The volumes present in-depth reviews of topical areas of catecholamine research in which substantial progress has been made and which are of current interest to various theoretical and clinical disciplines. Each topic has been dealt with by an established expert. Clinical subjects of relevant importance are included. Catecholamines are of interest in pharmacology, physiology, biochemistry, as well as in neurology, psychiatry, internal medicine (cardiology, hypertension, asthma), ophthalmology and anesthesiology.

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1 Transport and Storage of Catecholamines in Vesicles.- A. Introduction.- B. Biogenesis.- C. Uptake.- D. Stroage.- E. References.- 2 Occurrence and Mechanism of Exocytosis in Adrenal Medulla and Sympathetic Nerve.- A. Introduction.- B. Evidence for Exocytosis.- C. Mechanism of Exocytosis.- D. References.- 3 Monamine Oxidase.- A. Introduction.- B. Classification.- C. Distribution and Localization.- D. Properties of the Enzyme.- E. Kinetics of the Reaction.- F. Reaction Mechanism.- G. Specificity.- H. The Influence of Membrane Environment.- J. Multiple Forms.- K. Multiple Forms as an In Vivo Reality and Their Function.- L. Inhibitors.- M. Physiological Role and Functional Activity of MAO; Biochemical and Behavioural Correlates.- N. Psychiatric and Neurological Disorders: MAO Activity and MAO Inhibitors as Drugs.- O. Future Perspectives.- P. Addendum.- Q. References.- 4 The Transport of Amines Across the Axonal Membranes of Noradrenergic and Dopaminergic Neurones.- A. Introduction.- B. Neuronal Uptake.- C. Neuronal Amine Metabolism.- D. Neuronal Efflux.- E. Proposed Mechanism of Neuronal Uptake: A Summing up.- F. References.- 5 The Mechanism of Action of Indirectly Acting Sympathomimetic Amines.- A. Introduction.- B. The Adrenergic Nerve Ending.- C. The Experimental Models.- D. Carrier-Mediated Uptake of (+)-Amphetamine.- E. The Release of 3H-Noradrenaline After Inhibition of MAO and of Vesicular Uptake.- F. Factors Involved in the Release of Axoplasmic 3H-Noradrenaline.- H. The Co-transport of Sodium.- G. The Release of 3H-Noradrenaline from Adrenergic Nerve Endings with Intact Storage Vesicles and Intact MAO (COMT Inhibited).- H. The Effects of Indirectly Acting Amines in the Presence of a Reserpine-like Compound.- J. Factors Which Influence the 3H-Noradrenaline-Releasing Effect of Indirectly Acting Amines.- K. The Release by Indirectly Acting Amines of Dopamine from Dopaminergic Nerve Endings.- L. Conclusions.- M. References.- 6 The Extraneuronal Uptake and Metabolism of Catecholamines.- A. Introduction.- B. Uptake2.- C. The Extraneuronal Metabolizing Systems.- D. Supersensitivity to Catecholamines After Inhibition of the Extraneuronal O-Methylating System.- E. The Interaction Between the Neuronal and the Extraneuronal Sites of Loss.- F. Conclusions: A Comparison of Uptake2 with Uptake1.- G. References.- 7 Catecholamines Receptors.- A. Introduction.- B. Relationship of Catecholamine Receptors to Effector Systems.- C. In Vitro Binding Assays.- D. In Vitro Properties of Adrenoceptors.- E. Localization of Catecholamine Receptors.- F. Multiplicity of Catecholamine Receptor Subtypes.- G. Regulation of the Sensitivity of Catecholamine Receptor Systems.- H. Agonist-Induced Desensitization.- J. Ontogeny of Catecholamine Receptors in the Central Nervous System.- K. Solubilization, Purification, and Reconstitution of Catecholamine Receptor/Effector Systems.- L. Molecular Cloning of Catecholamine Receptors.- M. Conclusion.- N. References.- 8 Presynaptic Receptors on Catecholamine Neurones.- A. Introduction and Definition of Terms.- B. The Dopamine Autoreceptor.- C. Presynaptic Heteroreceptors Modulating Dopamine Function..- D. Autoadrenoceptors.- E. Presynaptic Dopamine Receptors Modulating Noradrenaline Release.- F. Conclusions.- G. References.- 9 Adaptive Supersensitivity.- A. Introduction.- B. The Induction of Adaptive Supersensitivity.- C. Characteristics of Adaptive Supersensitivity.- D. Possible Mechanisms for Changes in Sensitivity of Effector Cells and Evidence Supporting or Opposing these Mechanisms.- E. Summary and Conclusions.- F. References.