Characterization of the isolated perfused mouse brain as a system for neurochemical studies.

The preparation of the isolated perfused mouse brain (IPMB) is described along with its electrophysiological, morphological, biochemical and pharmacological properties. Using high performance liquid chromatography with electrochemical detection, the primary metabolite of mammalian central nervous system norepinephrine, 3-methoxy-4-hydroxyphenethyleneglycol (MHPG), was measured in the perfusate at 15-min intervals. The rate of MHPG production was similar to literature values of the rate of norepinephrine turnover in mouse brain. MHPG production rate in the IPMB was blocked by pretreatment with 6-hydroxydopamine and was increased by pretreatment with reserpine.