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Updated: Aug 14, 2026
Microdialysis of Excitatory Amino Acids During EEG Recordings in Freely Moving Rats
Published on: November 8, 2018
Measurement of glutamate and aspartate in Planaria
Scott M Rawls1, Teresa Gomez, Gregory W Stagliano
1Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Temple University School of Pharmacy, 3307 N. Broad Street, Philadelphia, PA 19140, USA. scott.rawls@temple.edu
Introduction:
The major excitatory neurotransmitters in the mammalian central nervous system are glutamate and aspartate. We developed a rapid and efficient method for the extraction and measurement of these amino acids in Planaria--a valuable model for mammalian processes because of their simple, centralized nervous system and similar neurotransmitter systems.
Method:
The method utilized buffer extraction (perchloric acid containing 0.025% of L-cystine and Na2EDTA), simple derivatization, high-pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC), and fluorescence detection.
Results:
The mean+/-S.E.M. amounts of glutamate and aspartate were 322.6+/-43.6 and 188.6+/-27.6 pmol/mg-planarian, respectively.
Discussion:
The method provides the ability to investigate changes in glutamate and aspartate in response to drug administration or withdrawal.
