Abnormalities in norepinephrine turnover rate in the central nervous system of the genetically epilepsy-prone rat

Abstract

Norepinephrine turnover rates were estimated in the hypothalamus-thalamus, midbrain, pons-medulla and telencephalon of genetically epilepsy-prone rats (GEPR). In each of these 4 brain areas the endogenous norepinephrine levels were significantly lower in the GEPR than in control animals. In the hypothalamus-thalamus, midbrain and telencephalon the calculated norepinephrine turnover rates were also significantly lower in GEPRs than in control. These studies confirm and extend earlier observations relating seizures in the GEPR to decrements in central nervous system noradrenergic function.