Postmortem and Regional Changes of Serotonin, 5-Hydroxyindoleacetic Acid, and Tryptophan in Brain

A specific & sensitive high pressure liquid chromatographic technique was used to measure serotonin, 5-HIAA,or 5-HIAA rat cortex when left “in situ” for 6 hrs at room temperature or 24 hrs at 4 deg. C. Significant increases in TRP/were found in both brain regions. A second study revealed significant regional concentrations within the cerebral cortex, the frontal area having highest concentrations of 5-HT &5-HIAA. Implications for suicide are discussed.