Post-mortem changes of neurotransmitter concentrations in the rat brain regions.
Using High Performance Liquid Chromatography coupled with electrochemical detection the post-mortem stability of noradrenaline (NA), dopamine (DA), serotonin (5-HT) and 5-hydroxy indole acetic acid (5-HIAA) were examined in the rat hypothalamus, amygdala, cerebral cortex, cerebellum and corpus striatum over an 8 hour time period. Changes in concentrations of the different neurotransmitters were less than it might be expected. The significant changes were: a. A fall in NA levels in the cerebral cortex by 4 hours and in the hypothalamus at 8 hours. b. A reduction in DA concentrations in the corpus striatum at 8 hours but a two fold rise of levels in the hypothalamus at 1 and 2 hours. c. A four-fold increase in 5-HT concentrations in the amygdala throughout the 8 hours studied. The results indicate that for comparative studies on post-mortem brain tissue correction factors should be employed to take into account differential changes in the concentrations of the various neurotransmitters.
Siddiqui
A
A
Institute of Physiology, University of Glasgow, United Kingdom.
Clark
J S
JS
Gilmore
D P
DP
D000818:Animals; D001921:Brain / Q000378:metabolism*; D008297:Male; D018377:Neurotransmitter Agents / Q000378:metabolism*; D011180:Postmortem Changes; D051381:Rats; D011919:Rats, Inbred Strains
D018377:Neurotransmitter Agents