Neurology
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Highly sensitive enzymatic assays, microdissection techniques, and histochemical methods were used to investigate the effects of blunt trauma on rabbit spinal cord serotonin, norepinephrine, and dopamine concentrations. Within 5 minutes after trauma, norepinephrine and serotonin in gray matter decreased considerably at the lesion center. ⋯ No changes in dopamine concentration were detected. Substantial changes in monoamines do occur after spinal cord trauma and serotonin may play a role in injury development.