From:  The role of norepinephrine in personality traits: alertness, anxiety, and adaptability—a comprehensive study

 Locus coeruleus-norepinephrine (LC-NE) system illustrating both tonic and phasic modes of activity.

FeatureTonic modePhasic modeReferences
PatternA slow, sustained, regular discharge of single spikesA brief, high-frequency discharge with a rapid & high spiking activity[47]
Frequency0.1–5.0 Hz10–20 Hz[48]
TriggerGeneral behavioral state and arousalElicited by novel or salient polymodal sensory stimuli[49, 50]
FunctionMaintenance & Regulation of the general state of arousal, vigilance, and alertnessFacilitates the significance & relevance of an event and orients precise responses to allocate and prioritize resources to relevant information[48]
EffectEstablishes the background level of norepinephrine releaseCreates high frequency and sharp spikes in NE release[51]