Journal Published Online: 06 April 2005
Volume 50, Issue 3

The Presence of Trace Amines in Postmortem Cerebrospinal Fluid in Humans

CODEN: JFSCAS

Abstract

The postmortem levels of biogenic amines in cerebrospinal fluid may represent a useful tool in defining some pathological conditions; no information is available concerning the occurrence of trace amines in postmortem cerebrospinal fluid. Thus, the occurrence of octopamine, synephrine and tyramine were evaluated by using a HPLC system in 20 postmortem samples of cerebrospinal fluid (obtained from 11 males and 9 females) and their levels were compared with those of 20 living subjects (obtained from 11 males and 9 females). The results show that trace amines dramatically increase in the postmortem cerebrospinal fluid (100, 20, and 4 fold increase for tyramine, octopamine, and synephrine respectively). To our knowledge, our data represent the first time trace amines have been identified in postmortem cerebrospinal fluid and the dramatic increase observed for tyramine has the potential of becoming a new tool in forensic science for better defining the time of death.

Author Information

Balbi, T
Pathological Anatomy, Monselice, Italy
Fusco, M
Research & Innovation (R&I) Company, Padova, Italy
Vasapollo, D
University of Bologna, Italy
Boschetto, R
Pathological Anatomy, Monselice, Italy
Cocco, P
Pathological Anatomy, Monselice, Italy
Leon, A
Research & Innovation (R&I) Company, Padova, Italy
Farruggio, A
Pathological Anatomy, Monselice, Italy
Pages: 3
Price: $25.00
Related
Reprints and Permissions
Reprints and copyright permissions can be requested through the
Copyright Clearance Center
Details
Stock #: JFS2004335
ISSN: 0022-1198
DOI: 10.1520/JFS2004335