Studies on neuromelanin

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Abstract
Forty-four brainstems of children were studied by a diamine Ag technique to date the timing of melanin deposition in the dorsal motor nucleus, locus ceruleus'' and substantia nigra. Melanin was not consistently observed at birth. The accumulation began during the first 5 years of life and increased steadily throughout childhood. At adolescence, all 3 nuclei were well pigmented. The results are considered further evidence in favor of the hypothesis that neuromelanin depostion results from an active neurochemical process and not as a by-product of aging.