Liquid chromatographic analysis of catecholamines routine assay for regional brain mapping

A thoroughly tested and highly reliable catecholamine assay is described which routinely determines 20–100 picograms of norepinephrine and dopamine in small punches of brain tissue weighing 0.50 to 50 mg. The assay was designed for regional brain mapping. It employs liquid chromatography with electrochemical detection and involves a minimum of sample pretreatment. Its realistic performance is illustrated by typical experimental data. Modifications for larger or whole brain samples as well as details of construction and operation of this system are given.