Post-mortem changes of neurotransmitter-concentrations in the rat brain regions

ABSTRACT

Using High Performance Liquid Chromatography coupled with electrochemical detection the post-mortem stability of noradrenaline [NA], dopamine [DA], serotonin [5-HT] and 5-hydroxyindole 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 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 amygdale throughout the 8 hours studies. 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