Effect of dopamine-beta-hydroxylase inhibition on cerebral vasospasm in the cat

Inhibitors of dopamine beta hydroxylase (DBH) administered intraperitoneally were shown to prevent spasm of the basilar artery caused by blood application in cats. A low or nondetectable blood DBH activity level may be related to the absence of spasm. In several instances, however, moderate spasm did occur with a low blood DBH activity level. Possible mechanisms for these findings are discussed.