The 125I-labeled iodohydroxybenzylpindolol (IHYP) binding to beta-receptors on brain micro-vessels is inhibited by isoproterenol, epinephrine and norepinephrine, with Ki values of 2 X 10(-7) M, 2.5 X 10(-6) M and 1.2 X 10(-5) M, respectively. A modified Scatchard analysis of the inhibitory effects of practolol, metroprolol and zinterol on IHYP binding has shown that the proportion of beta 2-receptors in our preparation is about 80% of the total beta-adrenergic receptor population. Our data indicate that the beta-adrenergic receptors located on cerebral microvessels are of both beta 1 and beta 2 types, with a predominance of the beta 2 type.