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Region‐Selective Decreases in Densities of [ 3 H]Tryptamine Binding Sites in Autopsied Brain Tissue from Cirrhotic Patients with Hepatic Encephalopathy
Author(s) -
Mousseau Darrell D.,
Layrargues Gilles Pomier,
Butterworth Roger F.
Publication year - 1994
Publication title -
journal of neurochemistry
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.75
H-Index - 229
eISSN - 1471-4159
pISSN - 0022-3042
DOI - 10.1046/j.1471-4159.1994.62020621.x
Subject(s) - tryptamine , hippocampus , caudate nucleus , endocrinology , medicine , cerebellum , hepatic encephalopathy , chemistry , cortex (anatomy) , binding site , central nervous system , cerebral cortex , biology , biochemistry , neuroscience , cirrhosis
The distribution of [ 3 H]tryptamine binding sites, in autopsied brain tissue from cirrhotic patients with hepatic encephalopathy (HE) and an equal number of age‐matched control subjects free from hepatic, neurological, or psychiatric disorder, was investigated. Scatchard analysis demonstrated a heterogeneous distribution for this binding site, with the highest density being observed in hippocampus ≫ frontal cortex = caudate nucleus > temporal cortex = cerebellum. When comparing [ 3 H]‐tryptamine binding site densities in control brain tissue with that in brain tissue from patients with HE, significant decreases in densities were observed in the frontal cortex (by 56%, p < 0.001), hippocampus (by 43%, p < 0.001), and caudate nucleus (by 41%, p < 0.01) of the HE group. Binding site affinities were within normal limits. The findings of decreased densities of [ 3 H]tryptamine binding sites taken in conjunction with previous reports of increased CSF and brain tryptamine concentrations in HE suggest a pathogenic role for this neuroactive amine in HE resulting from chronic liver failure.