L-GLUTAMATE AND L-ASPARTATE CONCENTRATIONS IN THE DEVELOPING AND AGING HUMAN PUTAMEN TISSUE

We have previously reported that the developmental regulation of NMDA receptor expression in human brain is characterized by a sharp postnat al increase peaking at about age 1 year. We have now extended this wor k by measuring concentrations of L-glutamate and L-aspartate in the pu tamen from 45 human autopsy specimens. Both amino acids increased stee ply within the first postnatal year after which they remained fairly c onstant throughout life. There was no impact on glutamate and aspartat e levels in putamen of sex, side of the brain, postmortem time and sto rage time of brain tissue.