EFFECT OF L-B-10-P-BORONOPHENYLALANINE-FRUCTOSE AND THE BORON NEUTRON-CAPTURE REACTION ON MOUSE-BRAIN DOPAMINERGIC-NEURONS

Radiation damage to the dopamine tracts caused by enriched L.B-10-p-bo ronophenylalanine (L-(10)BPA)-fructose and the boron neutron capture r eaction was investigated using the mouse model. Following various trea tments with L-(10)BPA and neutron irradiation of the head, the brain w as perfusion fixed and removed; 50-mu m frozen sections were cut. Dopa minergic neurons were visualized using immunohistochemistry for tyrosi ne hydroxylase. The administration of L-(10)BPA had no permanent effec t on dopaminergic tracts. Neutron capture therapy with L-(10)BPA cause d a reduction in tyrosine hydroxylase immunohistochemical activity wit hin 4 h of irradiation, but by 48 h, this reduction reversed. No damag e was observed at 120 h postirradiation.