Microheterogeneity of brain dopamine in the experimental acute cerebral ischaemia

In order to reveal the correlation of energy failure and neurotransmitter metabolism in the acute stage of incomplete cerebral ischaemia, the change of NADH (reduced form of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide) and brain dopamine was studied histochemically using the same specimen on the unilateral carotid ligation of mongolian gerbils. The severity of clinical symptoms was well correlated with the extent and intensity of NADH fluorescence. Dopamine in the caudate nucleus on the ligated side decreased heterogeneously shortly after the cerebral ischaemia. Preservation of dopamine was noted around the small vessels with thick walls. Thus, heterogeneity of dopamine decrease appears to be closely related to the structure of microvasculature. It was seen in areas of heterogeneously increased NADH, but also in areas of its homogeneous increase within 5 to 60 min after carotid ligation. This microheterogeneity of brain dopamine may be due to the difference of perfusion pressure at the microcirculation in the acute stage of incomplete cerebral ischaemia.