Neurochemical and activity changes in rats infected with Trypanosoma brucei gambiense

The brains of rats infected with Trypanosoma brucei gambiense were analyzed for their content of dopamine, 3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetic acid (DOPAC), serotonin, and 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5-HIAA). In the caudate of infected rats, dopamine levels increased by 34% and 5-HIAA levels by 20%. DOPAC levels declined by 30% in the caudate, but this change was significant at only P less than 0.1. In the pons/medulla of infected rats the serotonin concentration dropped by 21% and the 5-HIAA concentration rose by 25%. Activity levels in infected rats decreased by 49% (gross movement) and 44% (total movement) relative to those of uninfected control rats.