Front Cover

Methods in Neurotransmitter and Neuropeptide Research

Copyright Page

Table of Contents

Preface

List of Contributors

Chapter 1. Multi-electrode detection system for determination of neurotransmitters

1. Introduction

2. Principles of analysis using multi-electrode detection systems

3. HPLC systems using multi-electrode array detection

4. Analysis of biogenic amines and their metabolites

5. Analysis of amino acids

6. Activities of the enzymes related to monoamine metabolism

7. Biochemical and pharmacological applications

Acknowledgements

References

Chapter 2. Determination of biogenic amines, their metabolites, and other neurochemicals by liquid chromatography /electrochemistry

1 Introduction

2. Principles

3. Instrumentation

4. Tyrosine metabolites

5. Tryptophan metabolites

6. Enzyme activity

7. Amino acids

8. Choline and acetylcholine

9. Microdialysis and column format

10. Review of general applications of LCEC to drugs and other organics

11. Conclusion

References

Chapter 3. High-performance liquid chromatography-fluorometric and chemiluminometric detection of biogenic amines and other neurotransmitters

1 Introduction

2. Biogenic amines and their metabolites

3. Neurotransmitter amino acids

4. Neuropeptides

References

Chapter 4. Combined gas chromatography-mass spectrometry for the analysis of central and peripheral biogenic amines

1 Introduction

2. Methods

3. Results and comments

References

Chapter 5. Immunochemistryand in situ hybridization of catecholaminesynthesizing enzymes and the related neurotransmitters

1 Introduction

2. General histochemical procedures

3. Phylogenetic and ontogenetic studies of catecholamine systems by immunocytochemistry

4. Conclusion

Acknowledgements

References

Chapter 6. Electron microscopic exploration of synaptic organization

1 Introduction

2. Conventional cytochemical synaptic studies

3. Further cytochemical synaptic studies

4. Quantification of synaptic ultrastructure

5. Synaptic quantification: stereology

6. Computer reconstruction of synapses

Acknowledgements

References

Chapter 7. In vivo microdialysis of neurotransmitters and their metabolites

1 Introduction

2. Methodology

3. Determination of extracellular neurotransmitter concentrations

4. Criteria for identification of neurotransmitters

5. Problems of microdialysis

5. Concluding remarks

Acknowledgements

References

Chapter 8. Electrophysiological analysis of sympathetic function

1 Introduction

2. General principles of electrophysiological techniques for the analysis of sympathetic function

3. Application of electrophysiological analysis to the study of pharmacology

4. Conclusions and future perspectives

References

Chapter 9. Current status of rapid enzyme inactivation through the use of microwave irradiation

1 Introduction

2. Criteria for evaluating an adequate microwave device

3. A recent model of a microwave device

4. Effect of MWR on the concentration of various endogenous neurochemicals

5. Discussion and conclusions

Acknowledgements

References

Chapter 10. Precise micro- and macro-anatomical dissection of the rat brain and the investigation of neuroendocrine function

1 Introduction

2. Micro-dissection and micropunch

3. Macro-dissection of the rat brain

4. Conclusion

Acknowledgements

References

Chapter 11. Analysis of enzymes in catecholamine biosynthesis

1 Introduction

2. Assay methods for tyrosine hydroxylase

3. Assay methods for aromatic L-amino acid decarboxylase

4. Assay methods for dopamine β-hydroxylase

5. Assay methods for phenylethanolamine N-methyltransferase

6. Conclusion

Acknowledgement

References

Chapter 12. Catechol-O-methyltransferase

1 Introduction

2. Properties of COMT

3. Distribution and purification

4. The cellular distribution of COMT

5. Methods for the measurement of COMT activity

6. Examples of current procedures

7. Conclusion

References

Subject index