Changes in the amounts of amino acids associated with nerve endings (synaptosomes) during synaptogenesis.

Changes in the amounts of proteins and amino acids in synaptosomes and whole tissue from the olfactory bulb and cerebral cortex of rats were measured during the period 5-25 days postnatal. The amount of neurotransmitter type amino acids (such as GABA, glutamate and aspartate) associated with synaptosomes obtained from 1g of brain tissue increased dramatically with the age of the animals, whereas non-transmitter type amino acids (such as serine and glutamine) showed relatively little change. The results were in harmony with an earlier cessation of synaptogenesis in the olfactory bulb than in the cerebral cortex.