New high performance liquid chromatographic analysis of brain catecholamines

Abstract

A new high performance liquid chromatography analysis has been developed for catecholamines in brain tissue. The method retains alumina separation of the catecholamines. Quantitative read-out is by direct liquid chromatography, replacing the tedious trihydroxyindole chemistry and fluorescence measurements. The analysis is rapid and accurate and agrees well with existing literature data. The equipment is inexpensive and the technique can be utilized for routine analyses after 1-2 weeks of practice. The method is directly applicable to whole small animal brains and, depending on the NE and DA levels, to dissected sub-portions. © 1974.