ABSTRACT
A cross-sectional study of secondary data/information obtained from the Hospital Information System (HIS) spanning the years 2008 - 2009 was performed. The distribution of the main hospital admissions by gender, age, color/race, region and federal unit of residence, average expenditure and average length of hospital stay, year of hospitalization and mortality rates (MR) were studied. The data collected were tabulated by TabNet and keyed into Microsoft Excel 2007. It was verified that elderly males (54.3%), from 60 to 69 years old (50.6%), nonwhites (36.3%) and residents of Southeast and North regions of the country had the highest rates of hospitalization. Seniors were hospitalized for an average of 4.8 days, and the major causes were exposure to alcohol (43.7%) and to drugs (33.9%). Expenses related to hospital admissions were, on average, R$ 529,817.70. The highest mortality rates were recorded among females (MR = 4.34), in elderly, 80 years or older (MR = 10.16) and Caucasians (MR = 3.95), where pharmacological substances with action on the Autonomic Nervous System were the leading cause of death. There are demographic differences in morbi-mortality of these elderly since, although men and younger elderly were the main victims, women and elderly of advanced age have greater mortality. The leading causes of hospitalization were alcohol and drugs.
Realizou-se um estudo transversal de dados secundários obtidos no Sistema de Informação Hospitalar (SIH), nos anos 2008/2009. Estudou-se a distribuição das principais internações segundo sexo; faixa etária; cor/raça; região e unidade federativa de residência; valor médio pago e média de permanência das internações hospitalares; ano de internação e as taxas de mortalidade (TM). Os dados coletados foram tabulados por meio do TabNet e transcritos para o Programa Microsoft Excel® 2007. Verificou-se que idosos do sexo masculino (54,3%), com 60 e 69 anos de idade (50,6%), não brancos (36,3%) e residentes nas regiões Sudeste e Norte do País apresentaram os maiores percentuais de internação hospitalar. Idosos ficam em média 4,8 dias internados, sendo as principais causas a exposição ao álcool (43,7%) e a medicamentos (33,9%). Os gastos com as internações equivaleram a R$ 529.817,70. As maiores taxas de mortalidade foram registradas no sexo feminino (TM=4,34), em idosos entre 80 anos e superior (TM=10,16) e pessoas brancas (TM=3,95), sendo as substâncias farmacológicas de ação sobre o Sistema Nervoso Autônomo maiores causas do óbito. Existem diferenças demográficas na morbimortalidade desses idosos, visto que apesar de homens e idosos mais jovens serem as principais vítimas, mulheres e idosos com idade mais avançada morrem mais. Sendo as principais causas de internação o álcool e os medicamentos.
Subject(s)
Aged , Poisoning/classification , Aged , Epidemiology , Costs and Cost Analysis/classification , Hospitalization , Autonomic Agents/analysis , Hospitalization/statistics & numerical dataABSTRACT
OBJECTIVES: There has been a continued debate regarding the role of eye movements in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing(EMDR). This study examined the possible autonomic effect of horizontal eye movements after being exposed to fearful stimuli. METHODS: Fifty two healthy adult women were randomly allocated to eye movement or eye fixed groups after watching a five minute fear-inducing film clip. ECG was recorded during the resting state, after watching the clip, and the treatment. A spectral power analysis of the heart rate variability was performed. As the variables violated the rule of normal distribution and the number in each group is small the non-parametric test was used. RESULTS: Overall, we did not find the differences between the groups in both time and frequency domains. Some minor differences found were not consistent with results from previous studies. CONCLUSIONS: Effect of eye movement on autonomic nervous system during fear desensitization was not supported in this experiment. Further study with other psychophysiological measures is needed to understand the role of eye movements in treatment of traumatic memory.
Subject(s)
Adult , Female , Humans , Autonomic Agents , Autonomic Nervous System , Electrocardiography , Eye , Eye Movements , Heart , Heart Rate , Normal DistributionABSTRACT
Introducción: Conviene especificar que los nervios son una taxonomía biomédica antigua de la enfermedad, cuyas nociones se han reelaborado en contextos populares. Hoy es una enfermedad presente en muchas sociedades occidentales que expresan una manera del sufrimiento. Objetivo: Este estudio se centra en explorar el impacto del 11-S en los nervios de los inmigrantes mexicanos que viven en los Estados Unidos. Metodología: Está dirigida por la tradición de la antropología de la enfermedad. Se apoya en los materiales originales, recolectados en Highland Park (Illinois, Estados Unidos). El trabajo en el terreno se hizo de septiembre de 2001 a febrero de 2002 entre usuarios del "Programa Latino" de la Agencia "Servicio a la Familia de South Lake County". Los datos provienen de entrevistas recogidas en profundidad a los informadores calificados. Se consideraron tres dimensiones principales en la metodología y en el plan de trabajo. Primera, el impacto del episodio de las torres en la vida de cada día de los inmigrantes mexicanos, la manera en que su salud se afectó, y cómo se originaron y manifestaron los nervios. En segundo lugar, se consideran de forma particular algunas cuestiones como la incertidumbre sobre su futuro y su miedo, ligados no solamente a las posibilidades de nuevos ataques sino también en relación con los cambios internos y las políticas federales. En un tercer momento, se exploró cómo la identidad mexicana fue redefinida como consecuencia del ataque. Resultados: Ofrecen el dato que el padecimiento nervioso entre mexicanos inmigrantes en relación con la violencia política básicamente no difiere de las manifestaciones y teorías etiológicas señaladas por numerosos autores en relación con diversos grupos sociales, culturales y étnicos en trabajos previos.
Introduction: It agrees to specify that the nerves are an old biomedical taxonomy of the disease, whose slight knowledge has been elaborated in popular contexts. Today, it is a present disease in many western societies that express a way of the suffering. Objective: This study is centered in exploring the impact of 11-S in the nerves of the Mexican immigrants who live in the United States. Methodology: It is directed by the tradition of the anthropology of the disease. It leans in the original materials, collected in the park of the mountain (Illinois, the United States). The field work was lead from September of 2001 to February of 2002 between users of the Latin Program of the Agency service of the family of South Lake County. The data come from interviews gathered in depth to qualified informers. Three main dimensions were considered in the methodology and work plan. First, episode of the towerss impact in every day life of Mexican immigrants, the way in which their health was affected, and how the nerves were originated and declared. Secondly, it considers of particular form some questions like the uncertainty on their future and the fear, bound not only to the possibilities of new attacks but also related to the internal changes and the federal policies. At a third moment, it was explored how the Mexican identity was redefined as a result of the attack. Results: They offer the data that the nervous suffering between Mexican immigrants regarding political violence basically does not defer from the manifestations and etiological theories indicated by numerous authors in relation to diverse social groups, cultural and ethnic in previous works.
Subject(s)
Autonomic Agents , Emigrants and Immigrants , Mexican Americans , Panic , United StatesABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: An acceleration or deceleration of the heart rate (HR), which reflects autonomic effects, is observed before the onset of paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (PAF). The purpose of this study was to assess the discrepancy in the autonomic interactions before the onset of PAF for different patterns of change in the HR. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From 105 Holter tapes with the PAF recorded, 55 episodes (42 patients, 34 men, 58+/-12 years) of PAF (>5 min), preceded by a sinus rhythm for more than 1 hour, were selected and submitted to time-domain and frequency-domain HR variability analyses. Fifty-five episodes were divided into 2 groups: group A PAF (n=30) with acceleration of the HR during the last 2 minutes before the PAF and group B (n=25) with deceleration of the HR. RESULTS: A significant linear decrease in the mean R-R interval was observed in group A (924+/-30 to 835+/-28 ms, P=0.001) and an increase from 831+/-32 to 866+/-31 ms in group B PAF episodes (P=0.046). In the frequency-domain analyses, the LF/HF ratio exhibited a progressive linear increase before the PAF in group A (P=0.005). The HF normalized units (HFnu) and natural logarithm-transformed HF (lnHF) values decreased from 30.8+/-4.0 to 16.1+/-1.8 (P=0.003) and 4.49+/-0.25 to 4.07+/-0.22 (P=0.001), respectively. Contrary to the results in group A, a significant increase in the HF components (HFnu and lnHF) (from 22.6+/-3.2 to 30.2+/-4.0, P=0.005, and 4.27+/-0.27 to 4.75 0.33, P=0.001, respectively) and a resultant decrease in the LF/HF ratio were observed in group B PAF episodes. No significant changes were observed in the LF components in either PAF group. CONCLUSION: Autonomic stimuli leading to an acceleration or deceleration of the HR before the onset of AF are due to parasympathetic modulation. Parasympathetic modulation plays a key role in the initiation of PAF
Subject(s)
Humans , Male , Acceleration , Atrial Fibrillation , Autonomic Agents , Autonomic Nervous System , Deceleration , Heart RateABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Atracurium is a benzylisoquinolium nondepolarizing neuromuscular blocking drug. It releases histamine upon the rapid administration of more than 2 x ED95. Cisatracurium is about three to four times more potent than atracurium, less likely to release histamine, and has weaker cardiovascular or autonomic effects. Mivacurium releases histamine to about the same degree as atracurium at the same dose. This study was undertaken to reevaluate the experimental model for the evaluation of effects on the autonomic nervous system, and to determine the neuromuscular blocking profiles and the vagolytic effects of atracurium, cisatracurium and mivacurium in cats. METHODS: Cats, either sex, anesthetized with pentobarbital, were used. Neuromuscular blocking effects were assessed using the effects on the anterior tibialis muscle twitch evoked with supramaximal stimuli (0.2 ms-duration, 0.1 Hz). Inhibition of the parasympathetic nervous system was assessed in response to bradycardia to vagal nerve stimulation with ten-second trains of square-waves (0.5 ms-duration, 20 Hz). The dose-response curves for both neuromuscular blocking and vagolytic actions were determined for each animal. The dose-response curves were constructed in cumulative fashion. The response for vagal stimuli was measured two minute after each dosing. Vagal ID50 (The doses that produced 50% inhibition of the response to vagus nerve stimulation) were determined. RESULTS: NMB ED95 and NMB ED50, respectively, were 102.0 +/- 28.3 and 143.7 +/- 40.5 microgram/kg for atracurium, 81.4 +/- 13.3 and 110.7 +/- 18.8 microgram/kg for cisatracurium, and 56.8 +/- 17.4 and 74.2 +/- 25.0 microgram/kg for mivacurium. Vagal ID50 was 2,654 +/- 1,651 microgram/kg for atracurium, 655 +/- 389 microgram/kg for cisatracurium, and 606 +/- 182 microgram/kg for mivacurium. The vagal ID50/NMB ED95 and vagal ID50/NMB ED50 were 18.5 and 26.0 for atracurium, 5.9 and 8.1 for cisatracurium, and 8.2 and 10.7 for mivacurium. CONCLUSIONS: Atracurium has a wider margin of safety only for vagal stimulation as compared with cisatracurium and mivacurium. However, we couldn't exclude that either sympathetic stimulation or histamine release might contribute to heart rate.
Subject(s)
Animals , Cats , Atracurium , Autonomic Agents , Autonomic Nervous System , Bradycardia , Heart Rate , Histamine , Histamine Release , Models, Theoretical , Neuromuscular Blockade , Parasympathetic Nervous System , Pentobarbital , Vagus Nerve , Vagus Nerve StimulationABSTRACT
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: It has been assumed that salivary glands receive secretory fibers both from parasympathetic and sympathetic nerves. In fact, however, the existence of sympathetic secretory fibers in the cervical sympathetic nerve has not been established yet, because the salivary response to the cervical sympathetic stimulation is variable and short-lasting, and it tends to cease in spite of continued stimulation. This study investigated whether or not the cervical sympathetic nerve contains specific secretory fibers. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Salivary and blood flow responses to different frequency stimulation of the cervical sympathetic nerve, and often some autonomic drugs administration were observed from the submandibular gland in chloralose-anesthetized cats. RESULTS: 1) Low frequency stimulation (1-2 Hz) of the sympathetic nerve did not evoke salivary outflow and any change of blood flow, whereas high frequency stimulation of the nerve evoked salivary outflow and decrease of blood flow, in which salivary response tended to cease in spite of continued stimulation. 2) The salivary and blood flow responses to high frequency stimulation (20 Hz) of the nerve were not affected by the intravenous administration of propranolol, but were abolished by regitine. 3) Noradrenalin evoked salivary outflow and decreased blood flow which were not affected by the administration of propranolol but were abolished by regitine. 4) Isoproterenol increased blood flow but did not evoke salivary outflow, and the blood flow response was abolished by propranolol. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that the cervical sympathetic nerve does not contain specific secretory fibers and salivary outflow response to high frequency stimulation of the nerve may be due to either excitation of motor fibers innervating contractile elements of the excretory duct or chemical transmitters released from the vasomotor fibers.
Subject(s)
Animals , Cats , Administration, Intravenous , Autonomic Agents , Isoproterenol , Phentolamine , Propranolol , Salivary Glands , Submandibular GlandABSTRACT
Doxylamine is common over-the-counter sleep preparations & frequently involved in overdoses. The clinical course is dominated by the anticholinergic effects, including central nervous system & autonomic effects. We report 4 cases of suicide attempts in adults where ingestion of the doxylamines were complicated by rhabdomyolysis. They ingested doxylamines variable amount & were carried to emergency department. They complained gastrointestinal or central nervous system symptoms. Gastric lavages & administrations of activated charcoal were done. Creatine phosphok inase levels were normal or markedly elevated on arrival, but peaked several days later. Serum creatinine levels were normal. 99mTc-MDP bone scans were showed increased muscle labelling at the regions of muscle injury. They were treated with hydration, urine alkalinization, & supportive measures in hospital. On considering cause of rhabdomyolysis, our patients did not show any evidence of viral illness or coingestion of other potential myopathic toxins to support a secondary cause of rhabdomyolysis. The mechanism of rhabdomyolysis in cases of doxylamine overdose seems to be a direct toxic effect of the drug on striated muscle, but the exact mechanism is not clear. In all cases where such overdoses are suspected, consideration should be given to obtaining a urinalysis & a creatine phosphokinase level on arrival & creatine phosphokinase levels are carefully followed. Primary detoxication included gastric lavage & administration of activated charcoal. The patient's urine output & renal function should be closely monitored.
Subject(s)
Adult , Humans , Autonomic Agents , Central Nervous System , Charcoal , Creatine , Creatine Kinase , Creatinine , Doxylamine , Eating , Emergency Service, Hospital , Gastric Lavage , Muscle, Striated , Rhabdomyolysis , Suicide , Technetium Tc 99m Medronate , UrinalysisABSTRACT
As modificaçöes do ritmo sono-vigília, quando ocorrem na atividade aeroespacial, afetam o relógio biológico e a dessincronizaçäo tem origem principalmente no marcador da percepçäo da noite e do dia. Assim, o uso de soníferos torna-se importante pelos riscos da açäo residual e conseqüente embotamento cognitivo. Os medicamentos ansiolíticos de uso täo comum, dada a facilidade com que säo receitados, devem figurar entre os produtos cujos efeitos adversos säo desprezados, pois o alívio da angústia ganha prioridade. Finalmente os fármacos antidepressivos, em virtude da multiplicidade de estruturas químicas e mecanismos de açäo, envolvem efeitos iatrogênicos variados e perigosos para a atividade em questäo. Seguem-se recomendaçöes saneadoras.
Subject(s)
Humans , Autonomic Agents/pharmacology , Anti-Anxiety Agents/pharmacology , Antidepressive Agents/pharmacology , Astronauts , Aviation , Hypnotics and Sedatives/pharmacology , Sleep/drug effects , Wakefulness/drug effectsABSTRACT
Rats exposed to lead (lead acetate) in doses of 0.2 and 0.5 mg/ml in drinking water for a period of 90 days showed mild to moderate changes in food consumption compared to control group. Drug interactions in lead exposed rats with metoclopramide, atropine sulphate, propranolol, cyproheptadine and mepyramine maleate when administered intraperitoneally caused -30 to +30 percentage variation in food intake indicating the influence of adrenergic, serotonergic and cholinergic neurotransmitters with no change in mean body weight of lead treated rats.
Subject(s)
Administration, Oral , Animals , Anorexia/chemically induced , Autonomic Agents/pharmacology , Body Weight/drug effects , Brain/drug effects , Drug Interactions , Feeding Behavior/drug effects , Male , Organometallic Compounds/administration & dosage , RatsSubject(s)
Humans , Autonomic Nervous System Diseases/physiopathology , Hypotension, Orthostatic/physiopathology , Dopamine beta-Hydroxylase/deficiency , Autonomic Agents/therapeutic use , Autonomic Nervous System Diseases/complications , Hypotension, Orthostatic/complications , Hypotension, Orthostatic/drug therapy , Arterial Pressure/physiologyABSTRACT
The anesthetic management of patients with pheochromocytoma presents many difficult problems, such as hypertension, cardiac arrhythmias, and hypotension. A 21 year-old male underwent resection of pheochromocytoma under general anesthesia with isoflurane and fentanyl. Hypertensive crisis during induction of anesthesia and surgical manipulation of the tumor were managed with phentolamine and sodium nitroprusside drips. Anesthesia was maintained wtih nitrous oxide : oxygen, 50% : 50%, isoflurane, 0.5-2% and supplemented with fractional doses of fentanyl and vecuronium for muscular relaxation. We also used propranolol for the cardiac arrhythmia. An endotracheal semi-closed circle absorption technique with controlled ventilation was employed. Fentanyl does not release histamine, and has stable hemodynamics. Isoflurane has also advocated on the grounds that arrhythmias are less esaily provocated by circulating catecholamines than with other volatile agents, and has been shown to be a satisfactory agent. Vecuronium does not provoke catecholamine release, does not release histamine, has no autonomic effects at clinical plasma concentrations, and is clearly the neuromuscular blocking agent of choice in this case. Optimal pre-operative preparation, smooth induction of anesthesia, adequate alveolar ventilation, proper cardiovascular control, and good communication between surgeon and anesthesiologist are most important for the anesthetic management of pheochromocytoma.
Subject(s)
Humans , Male , Young Adult , Absorption , Anesthesia , Anesthesia, General , Arrhythmias, Cardiac , Autonomic Agents , Catecholamines , Fentanyl , Hemodynamics , Histamine , Hypertension , Hypotension , Isoflurane , Neuromuscular Blockade , Nitroprusside , Nitrous Oxide , Oxygen , Phentolamine , Pheochromocytoma , Plasma , Propranolol , Relaxation , Vecuronium Bromide , VentilationABSTRACT
The anesthetic management of patients with pheochromocytoma presents many difficult problems, such as hypertension, cardiac arrhythmias, and hypotension. A 21 year-old male underwent resection of pheochromocytoma under general anesthesia with isoflurane and fentanyl. Hypertensive crisis during induction of anesthesia and surgical manipulation of the tumor were managed with phentolamine and sodium nitroprusside drips. Anesthesia was maintained wtih nitrous oxide : oxygen, 50% : 50%, isoflurane, 0.5-2% and supplemented with fractional doses of fentanyl and vecuronium for muscular relaxation. We also used propranolol for the cardiac arrhythmia. An endotracheal semi-closed circle absorption technique with controlled ventilation was employed. Fentanyl does not release histamine, and has stable hemodynamics. Isoflurane has also advocated on the grounds that arrhythmias are less esaily provocated by circulating catecholamines than with other volatile agents, and has been shown to be a satisfactory agent. Vecuronium does not provoke catecholamine release, does not release histamine, has no autonomic effects at clinical plasma concentrations, and is clearly the neuromuscular blocking agent of choice in this case. Optimal pre-operative preparation, smooth induction of anesthesia, adequate alveolar ventilation, proper cardiovascular control, and good communication between surgeon and anesthesiologist are most important for the anesthetic management of pheochromocytoma.
Subject(s)
Humans , Male , Young Adult , Absorption , Anesthesia , Anesthesia, Caudal , Anesthesia, General , Arrhythmias, Cardiac , Autonomic Agents , Catecholamines , Fentanyl , Hemodynamics , Hemorrhoidectomy , Histamine , Hypertension , Hypotension , Isoflurane , Neuromuscular Blockade , Nitroprusside , Nitrous Oxide , Oxygen , Phentolamine , Pheochromocytoma , Plasma , Propranolol , Relaxation , Vecuronium Bromide , VentilationABSTRACT
The effects of neuropharmacological agents on the motility of irradiated and non-irradiated Angiostrongylus cantonensis adult females were studied. GABA induced complete paralysis in non-irradiated and 5,000 R-irradiated worms, but caused only slight paralysis on 10,000 R-irradiated worms. The paralytic effect of GABA was antagonised by picrotoxin. The reason for low susceptibility of heavily irradiated worms to GABA is not known. There was no difference in susceptibility of non-irradiated and irradiated worms to other neuropharmacological agents including eserine, phenylephrine and dibenamine.
Subject(s)
Angiostrongylus/drug effects , Animals , Autonomic Agents/pharmacology , Convulsants/pharmacology , Dibenzylchlorethamine/pharmacology , Female , Gamma Rays , Larva/radiation effects , Male , Metastrongyloidea/radiation effects , Movement/drug effects , Phenylephrine/pharmacology , Physostigmine/analogs & derivatives , Picrotoxin/pharmacology , Rats , Rats, Inbred Strains , Strychnine/pharmacology , gamma-Aminobutyric Acid/pharmacologyABSTRACT
Effects of several autonomic drugs on the responses of the isolated rabbit detrusor muscle strips to electrical stimulation were investigated. Electric stimulation of the detrusor muscle strips elicited two different responses; (a) contraction followed by relaxation in 14 cases out of 22 experiments, and (b) contraction only in 8 cases. The contraction responses to electrical stimulation were significantly reduced in the presence of either atropine or regitine, respectively The relaxation response to electrical stimulation was abolished in the presence of propranolol. Addition of norepinephrine evoked one of following three responses: (a) relaxation in 10 cases out of 19 experiments, (b) contraction in 6 cases, and (c) contraction followed by relaxation in 4 cases. The relaxation response to norepinephrine was reversed. in the presence of propranolol, to a contraction response which was then abolished after administration of regitine. The contraction response to norepinephrine was reversed, in the presence of regitine, to a relaxation response which was then abolished after administration of propranolol. Acetylcholine elicited contraction of the isolated detrusor muscle strip, and this was abolished in the presence of atropine These results suggest that the rabbit detrusor muscle is innervated by both cholinergic and adrenergic fibers and that the detrusor muscle contains cholinergic receptors as well as adrenergic a-and b-ones. Contrary to the popular opinion that the detrusor muscle predominantly contains adrenergic b-receptors, it seems likely that the adrenergic receptors differ in predominancy of either a or b which elicits contraction or relaxation, respectively, according to different areas of the muscle.
Subject(s)
Acetylcholine , Adrenergic Fibers , Atropine , Autonomic Agents , Electric Stimulation , Norepinephrine , Phentolamine , Propranolol , Receptors, Adrenergic , Receptors, Cholinergic , RelaxationABSTRACT
A strip of the detrusor muscle of amyda japonica was provided in a bath which contained frog-Ringer's solution and the responses to electrical stimulation were observed by means of an isotonic myograph. The effects of several autonomic drugs on the responses to electrical stimulation of the strip were examined. The following results were obtained. 1. Electrical stimulation of the isolated detrusor muscle strip elicited contraction response and the response showed two peaks at 20 and 80 Hz between 1-200 Hz stimulation frequencies. 2. The responses to electrical stimulation of the detrusor muscle strip was completely abolished in the presence of tetrodotoxin and resumed after washing the bath fluids. 3. The responses to electrical stimulation of the detrusor muscle strip were significantly reduced in the presence of atropine, guanethidine, or regitine. 4. Clonidine did not affect the contraction response to electrical stimulation of the detrusor muscle strip. These results suggest that the detrusor muscle of Amyda japonica is innervated by both cholinergic and adrenergic nerves and it contains adrenergic alpha-receptors and that presynaptic alpha-adrenoceptors known to modify inhibit the release of neurotransmitters from the nerve endings are not involved.
Subject(s)
Atropine , Autonomic Agents , Baths , Clonidine , Electric Stimulation , Guanethidine , Nerve Endings , Neurotransmitter Agents , Phentolamine , Receptors, Adrenergic, alpha , TetrodotoxinABSTRACT
A strip of the detrusor muscle of amyda japonica was provided in a bath which contained frog-Ringer's solution and the responses to electrical stimulation were observed by means of an isotonic myograph. The effects of several autonomic drugs on the responses to electrical stimulation of the strip were examined. The following results were obtained. 1. Electrical stimulation of the isolated detrusor muscle strip elicited contraction response and the response showed two peaks at 20 and 80 Hz between 1-200 Hz stimulation frequencies. 2. The responses to electrical stimulation of the detrusor muscle strip was completely abolished in the presence of tetrodotoxin and resumed after washing the bath fluids. 3. The responses to electrical stimulation of the detrusor muscle strip were significantly reduced in the presence of atropine, guanethidine, or regitine. 4. Clonidine did not affect the contraction response to electrical stimulation of the detrusor muscle strip. These results suggest that the detrusor muscle of Amyda japonica is innervated by both cholinergic and adrenergic nerves and it contains adrenergic alpha-receptors and that presynaptic alpha-adrenoceptors known to modify inhibit the release of neurotransmitters from the nerve endings are not involved.