Date Approved
5-31-2023
Embargo Period
5-31-2025
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Master of Sciences in Pharmaceutical Sciences
Department
Chemistry and Biochemistry
College
College of Science & Mathematics
Advisor
James P. Grinias, Ph.D
Committee Member 1
James P. Grinias, Ph.D
Committee Member 2
David M. Devilbiss, Ph.D
Committee Member 3
Amos Mugweru, Ph.D
Keywords
traumatic brain injury, neurotransmitters, catecholamine signaling, medial prefrontal cortex
Subject(s)
Brain--Research; Catecholamines
Disciplines
Chemistry | Medicine and Health Sciences | Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences | Physical Sciences and Mathematics
Abstract
Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a serious global health burden that causes a wide range of neurocognitive symptoms. These cognitive processes are regulated by catecholamine signaling within the prefrontal cortex (PFC) region of the brain. To quantify functional deficits in catecholamine signaling after TBI, norepinephrine (NE) and dopamine (DA) levels within the PFC were quantified from microdialysate samples using high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with electrochemical detection. A method for benzoyl chloride derivatization of neurotransmitters and analysis with liquid chromatography and tandem mass spectrometry instrumentation was also developed to detect and analyze these neurotransmitters. Overall, it was found that catecholamine signaling is dysfunctional after TBI with significant reductions in PFC neurotransmission. Responsivity of NE and DA to a putative catecholamine based TBI therapy, methylphenidate (Ritalin®), was blunted. These results suggest that following TBI, there is a dysregulation of the catecholamine systems that likely contributes to cognitive deficits found after TBI.
Recommended Citation
Horvat, Leah, "CATECHOLAMINE SYSTEM FUNCTION OF THE MEDIAL PREFRONTAL CORTEX FOLLOWING REPETITIVE MILD TRAUMATIC BRAIN INJURY AND THE USE OF BENZOYL CHLORIDE TO QUANTIFY AND IDENTIFY NEUROTRANSMITTERS" (2023). Theses and Dissertations. 3119.
https://rdw.rowan.edu/etd/3119
