Abstract
THE concentration of ammonia in an adult rat brain is very low. The brain tissue is, however, able to produce ammonia1, which is rapidly eliminated. The concentration of ammonia in the brain increases during central excitation and decreases during central depression. It has therefore been suggested that the level of ammonia reflects the functional activity of the brain2. It is accepted that the concentration of ammonia in the adult brain tissue fixed rapidly in situ is 0.2–0.3 µmole/g (refs. 2–4). We do not know of any information concerning the amount of ammonia in the immature brain. Measurement of any changes in the concentration of ammonia when electrical activity is initiated in the brain as it gradually assumes the normal adult pattern and at anatomical and biochemical maturation is of interest in view of the connexion between ammonia and brain function.
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OJA, S., VON BONSDORFF, H. & LINDROOS, O. Ammonia Content of the Developing Rat Brain. Nature 212, 937–938 (1966). https://doi.org/10.1038/212937a0
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/212937a0
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