Central cholinergic stimulation causes adrenal epinephrine release.

Cholinergic drugs administered into the cerebral ventricles of animals selectively stimulate the adrenal medulla. However, the effects of central cholinergic stimulation on the sympathoadrenal system have not been studied in man. We stimulated central cholinergic activity in man by administering the cholinesterase inhibitor physostigmine to subjects pretreated with peripheral cholinergic blocking agents. A dose of 0.022 mg/kg physostigmine dramatically increased plasma epinephrine levels and slightly increased norepinephrine levels, which is consistent with selective adrenomedullary stimulation. A smaller dose of physostigmine increased epinephrine but did not alter norepinephrine levels. Subjects had increased pulse rates and blood pressures, and felt anxious while they had high plasma epinephrine levels.