The localization and distribution of catecholamines, selected neuropeptides, and the cyclic nucleotide second messengers has been determined in the superior cervical ganglion of the stroke-prone variant of the spontaneously hypertensive rat (SHR) and its normotensive Wistar-kyoto (WKY) control. Significant alteration in the frequency of occurrence of dopaminergic small intensely fluorescent cell clusters was seen in the stroke-prone variant of the SHR. The immunofluorescent localization of cyclic AMP (cAMP) and cyclic GMP (cGMP) were also changed in the stroke-prone variant, as was the immunofluorescent staining quantity of the neuropeptides somatostatin and substance P. The morphological pattern of staining for the various compounds in the normotensive control (WKY) was equivalent to the Sprague-Dawley rat strain. The implications of the altered neurochemistry in the superior cervical ganglion on the high blood pressure, and the predisposition for stroke in this strain are discussed.