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Levels of biogenic amines, their metabolites, and tyrosine hydroxylase activity in the human epileptic temporal cortex
Author(s) -
Pintor Manuela,
Mefford Ivan N.,
Hutter Ingrid,
Pocotte Susan L.,
Wyler Allen R.,
Nadi N. Suzan
Publication year - 1990
Publication title -
synapse
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.809
H-Index - 106
eISSN - 1098-2396
pISSN - 0887-4476
DOI - 10.1002/syn.890050210
Subject(s) - homovanillic acid , neocortex , dopamine , tyrosine hydroxylase , tryptophan hydroxylase , chemistry , serotonin , tyrosine , metabolite , cortex (anatomy) , endocrinology , medicine , neuroscience , biochemistry , biology , receptor , serotonergic
The levels of serotonin (5‐HT), 5 hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5‐HIAA), dopamine (DA), homovanillic acid (HVA), norepinephrine (NE), and tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) activity were measured in the focus (spiking) and nonfocus (nonspking) regions of the temporal neocortex of 20 patients with intractable complex partial seizures. The levels of 5‐HT, DA, 5‐HIAA, and HVA were higher in the focus when compared to the nonfocus. Values for NE and TH activity were not different when focus and nonfocus were compared. The ratios of metabolite to precursor for 5‐HT and DA were not significantly different between the focus and the nonfocus, suggesting that the changes observed were the result of a modification in the synthesis and release of these amines. Such changes in the epileptic focus could be caused by altered transsynaptic regulatory processes, which occur as a result of neuronal loss, gliosis, or neuronal sprouting.