A systematic regional study of dopamine and dopamine-derived salsolinol and norsalsolinol levels in human brain areas

Dopamine and the dopamine-derived tetrahydroisoquinoline alkaloids salsolin ol and norsalsolinol were measured by high-performance liquid chromatograph y with electrochemical detection in 15 regions of the human brain. The regi onal distribution of dopamine in 32 brains was similar to previous reports with highest concentrations in the basal ganglia, especially in the striatu m, followed by the substantia nigra and the hypothalamus. Significant amoun ts of salsolinol and norsalsolinol were only found in these dopamine-rich a reas, whereas in the other regions no alkaloids were detected. These findin gs suggest that the concentration of the substrate dopamine may determine t he alkaloid level during in vivo formation. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science Irela nd Ltd. All rights reserved.