The effect of hypocapnic alkalosis (HA) on nicardipine-induced cerebral vasodilatation was studied in 2 groups of patients undergoing stereotaxic brain biopsy under general anaesthesia. Arterial diameter (AD) was measured in 16 different locations on a carotid arteriogram (lateral view), and intracranial pressure (ICP) was recorded with an intraventricular catheter. At time T0, in normocapnia an arteriogram was performed in both groups. The first group (GI) was then studied in hypocapnia (T1) and following an injection of nicardipine (T2), while the second group (GII) was studied first after injection of nicardipine (T1) and then in hypocapnia (T2). Groups GI (n = 6; 44 y) and GII (n = 6; 46 y) were similar with regard to age, blood pressure, heart rate and PaO2 at all three phases of the study. HA caused a 9.5% decrease in AD (GI.T1) compared to baseline values, and a 15.2% decrease when preceded by injection of nicardipine (GII.T2). In the latter case the decrease was 3% in comparison with baseline. Nicardipine increased AD by 14.7% (GII.T1) and by 18.5% when preceded by HA (GI.T2), but the rise (7.3%) was not significant in comparison with the baselines value. The changes variations were similar whether the entire arterial trunk or only the supraclinoid region were studied. HA decreased ICP by 44% (GI.T1) and by 50% after nicardipine (GII.T2). Nicardipine did not cause an increase in ICP. Nicardipine and HA antagonise each others vasomotor effects, as previously shown in the baboon using nimodipine.