Regional Amino Acid Concentration in the Brains of Rats Exposed to High Pressures |
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| Authors: | Astrid G Chapman Michael J Halsey Geneen P Hart Nigel P Luff Brian S Meldrum Bridget Wardley-Smith |
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| Institution: | Department of Neurology, Institute of Psychiatry, De Crespigny Park, London;HPNS Group, Clinical Research Centre, Harrow, Middlesex, England |
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| Abstract: | Regional amino acid concentrations were measured in rat brain fixed by microwave irradiation at three levels of elevated atmospheric pressure corresponding to different phases of the high-pressure neurological syndrome 20 atmospheres absolute (ATA), no clinical signs; 60 ATA, tremor; 85 ATA, severe tremor and myoclonic jerks]. No changes in amino acid content occurred at 20 or 60 ATA. At 85 ATA glutamine content increased in hippocampus, striatum, cerebellum, and substantia nigra, and gamma-aminobutyric acid content increased in hippocampus. It is suggested that enhanced glutamate release in various subcortical structures contributes to the myoclonic activity observed at 85 ATA. |
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| Keywords: | High-pressure neurological syndrome Glutamate Glutamine Myoclonus Basal ganglia |
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