THE INFLUENCE OF INGESTED ALUMINUM UPON NOREPINEPHRINE AND DOPAMINE LEVELS IN THE RAT-BRAIN

  • 1 January 1981
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 2  (2) , 347-353
Abstract
The clinical and neuropathological effects of elevated brain Al levels were recently described. The clinical symptoms and localization of Al in the brain suggested an altered catecholamine balance. The effects of elevated brain Al on the endogenous steady-state levels of norepinephrine and dopamine in the frontal cortex, hippocampus and cerebellum were reported. The neurotoxic effects of ingested Al depended on the dietary intake of Cu, Zn, Fe and Mg. Norepinephrine levels in the cortex and cerebellum decreased in rats fed a low Cu diet with Al added (0.1%, wt/wt). Suboptimal Fe levels decreased norepinephrine in the cerebellum. The presence of Al in diets low in Cu or Zn decreased dopamine levels in the cortex. Data were interpreted with respect to the clinical symptomatologies seen in demented, chronic renal dialysis patients with depressed serum Cu and Zn levels.