Simultaneous determination of dextromepromazine and related substances 2-methoxyphenothiazine and levomepromazine sulfoxide in levomepromazine on a cellulose tris(4-methylbenzoate) chiral column.

A high-performance liquid chromatography method for the determination of dextromepromazine, levomepromazine sulfoxide and 2-methoxyphenothiazine in levomepromazine samples was developed. The separation of the analytes was achieved within 10 min on a stationary phase containing cellulose tris(4-methylbenzoate) as chiral selector. The mobile phase consisted of 0.1% diethylamine in methanol with a flow rate of 1.0 mL/min. The method was validated according to the International Council for Harmonization guideline Q2(R1). The detection limits based on a signal-to-noise ratio of 3 were in the range of 0.002 to 0.005 µg/mL. The method proved to be precise and accurate in the concentration range of 0.025-1.0 % for levomepromazine sulfoxide and 2-methoxyphenothiazine and 0.025% to 3.0% for dextromepromazine relative to a concentration of 0.1 mg/mL of levomepromazine, with the exception of levomepromazine sulfoxide at the 0.1% level. The method was subsequently applied to the analysis of finished pharmaceutical products as well as of reference substances of the European Pharmacopoeia.

Sensitive flow-injection spectrophotometric analysis of bromopride.

A flow injection spectrophotometric procedure employing merging zones is proposed for direct bromopride determination in pharmaceutical formulations and biological fluids. The proposed method is based on the reaction between bromopride and p-dimethylaminocinnamaldehyde (p-DAC) in acid medium, in the presence of sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS), resulting in formation of a violet product (λmax=565nm). Experimental design methodologies were used to optimize the experimental conditions. The Beer-Lambert law was obeyed in a bromopride concentration range of 3.63×10(-7) to 2.90×10(-5)molL(-1), with a correlation coefficient (r) of 0.9999. The limits of detection and quantification were 1.07×10(-7) and 3.57×10(-7)molL(-1), respectively. The proposed method was successfully applied to the determination of bromopride in pharmaceuticals and human urine, and recoveries of the drug from these media were in the ranges 99.6-101.2% and 98.6-102.1%, respectively. This new flow injection procedure does not require any sample pretreatment steps.

Interaction between serotonin transporter and dopamine D2/D3 receptor radioligand measures is associated with harm avoidant symptoms in anorexia and bulimia nervosa.

Individuals with anorexia nervosa (AN) and bulimia nervosa (BN) have alterations of measures of serotonin (5-HT) and dopamine (DA) function, which persist after long-term recovery and are associated with elevated harm avoidance (HA), a measure of anxiety and behavioral inhibition. Based on theories that 5-HT is an aversive motivational system that may oppose a DA-related appetitive system, we explored interactions of positron emission tomography (PET) radioligand measures that reflect portions of these systems. Twenty-seven individuals recovered (REC) from eating disorders (EDs) (7 AN-BN, 11 AN, 9 BN) and nine control women (CW) were analyzed for correlations between [(11)C]McN5652 and [(11)C]raclopride binding. There was a significant positive correlation between [(11)C]McN5652 binding potential (BP(non displaceable(ND))) and [(11)C]Raclopride BP(ND) for the dorsal caudate, antero-ventral striatum (AVS), middle caudate, and ventral and dorsal putamen. No significant correlations were found in CW. [(11)C]Raclopride BP(ND), but not [(11)C]McN5652 BP(ND), was significantly related to HA in REC EDs. A linear regression analysis showed that the interaction between [(11)C]McN5652 BP(ND) and [(11)C]raclopride BP(ND) in the dorsal putamen significantly predicted HA. This is the first study using PET and the radioligands [(11)C]McN5652 and [(11)C]raclopride to show a direct relationship between 5-HT transporter and striatal DA D2/D3 receptor binding in humans, supporting the possibility that 5-HT and DA interactions contribute to HA behaviors in EDs.

Discovery of antagonists of tick dopamine receptors via chemical library screening and comparative pharmacological analyses.

Ticks transmit a wide variety of disease causing pathogens to humans and animals. Considering the global health impact of tick-borne diseases, there is a pressing need to develop new methods for vector control. We are exploring arthropod dopamine receptors as novel targets for insecticide/acaricide development because of their integral roles in neurobiology. Herein, we developed a screening assay for dopamine receptor antagonists to further characterize the pharmacological properties of the two D1-like dopamine receptors (Isdop1 and Isdop2) identified in the Lyme disease vector, Ixodes scapularis, and develop a screening assay for receptor antagonists. A cell-based, cyclic AMP luciferase reporter assay platform was implemented to screen the LOPAC(1280) small molecule library for Isdop2 receptor antagonists, representing the first reported chemical library screen for any tick G protein-coupled receptor. Screening resulted in the identification of 85 "hit" compounds with antagonist activity at the Isdop2 receptor. Eight of these chemistries were selected for confirmation assays using a direct measurement of cAMP, and the effects on both Isdop1 and Isdop2 were studied for comparison. Each of these eight compounds showed antagonistic activity at both Isdop1 and Isdop2, although differences were observed regarding their relative potencies. Furthermore, comparison of the pharmacological properties of the tick dopamine receptors with that of the AaDOP2 receptor from the yellow fever mosquito and the human dopamine D1 receptor (hD1) revealed species-specific pharmacological profiles of these receptors. Compounds influencing dopaminergic functioning, such as the dopamine receptor antagonists discovered here, may provide lead chemistries for discovery of novel acaricides useful for vector control

Quantitative analysis of pharmaceutical drug distribution in multiple organs by imaging mass spectrometry.

RATIONALE: Recently, the requirement for a quantitative research method using imaging mass spectrometry (IMS) to be developed has been discussed. Specifically, the simultaneous quantification of a drug in multiple organs by using whole-body sections could be insightful for the pharmaceutical industry in the study of drug distribution. METHODS: Frozen whole-body sections were obtained from mice injected with raclopride, a dopamine D2 receptor selective antagonist, and coated with a matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization (MALDI) matrix compound. The whole-body sections were then analyzed using a linear ion trap mass spectrometer equipped with a MALDI source. The concentration of raclopride in each tissue was determined using liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry (LC/MS/MS). RESULTS: The IMS-based signal intensity of raclopride strongly correlated with the concentration of the drug in the tissue samples (R=0.94; p <0.001) of six different organs. Furthermore, the spatial information obtained by IMS was very similar to that obtained by autoradiography, which is a traditional technique used for the study of drug distribution. CONCLUSIONS: This study suggests that IMS enables the quantitative analysis of drug distribution in multiple organs simultaneously. In addition, it enhances ideal drug candidate selection in terms of efficient evaluations.

Microdialysis combined with liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry for the determination of levo-tetrahydropalmatine in the rat striatum.

Levo-tetrahydropalmatine (l-THP), one of the main active alkaloids isolated from Rhizoma corydalis, was recently found to elicit profound effects on the dopaminergic system in the striatum, which plays an important role in regulating nociception. A rapid and sensitive method based on microdialysis combined with liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry was developed for the determination of l-THP in the rat striatum. Microdialysis probes were stereotactically placed in the striatal hemisphere, and l-THP was measured from the microdialysates collected using LC-MS/MS. Reverse-phase LC separation was accomplished on a Diamonsil™ C18 column (50 mm × 2.1 mm ID, 5µm) with the mobile phase composed of methanol-water (50:50, v/v) at a flow rate of 0.2 ml/min. The method had a chromatographic total run time of 5 min. Detection was performed in electrospray positive mode and quantification was executed in selected reaction monitoring mode. The following transitions were monitored: m/z 356.0→191.9 for l-THP and 256.0→167.1 for the internal standard diphenhydramine. The method was sensitive with a lower limit of quantitation (LLOQ) of 0.1 ng/ml for l-THP, with good linearity in the range of 0.1-1000 ng/ml (r(2)≥0.999). All the validation data, such as accuracy, precision, and inter-day repeatability were within the required limits. The method was successfully applied to pharmacokinetic study of the l-THP in the rat striatum.

Qualitative and quantitative MALDI imaging of the positron emission tomography ligands raclopride (a D2 dopamine antagonist) and SCH 23390 (a D1 dopamine antagonist) in rat brain tissue sections using a solvent-free dry matrix application method.

The distributions of positron emission tomography (PET) ligands in rat brain tissue sections were analyzed by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry imaging (MALDI MSI). The detection of the PET ligands was possible following the use of a solvent-free dry MALDI matrix application method employing finely ground dry α-cyano-4-hydroxycinnamic acid (CHCA). The D2 dopamine receptor antagonist 3,5-dichloro-N-{[(2S)-1-ethylpyrrolidin-2-yl]methyl}-2-hydroxy-6-methoxybenzamide (raclopride) and the D1 dopamine receptor antagonist 7-chloro-3-methyl-1-phenyl-1,2,4,5-tetrahydro-3-benzazepin-8-ol (SCH 23390) were both detected at decreasing abundance at increasing period postdosing. Confirmation of the compound identifications and distributions was achieved by a combination of mass-to-charge ratio accurate mass, isotope distribution, and MS/MS fragmentation imaging directly from tissue sections (performed using MALDI TOF/TOF, MALDI q-TOF, and 12T MALDI-FT-ICR mass spectrometers). Quantitative data was obtained by comparing signal abundances from tissues to those obtained from quantitation control spots of the target compound applied to adjacent vehicle control tissue sections (analyzed during the same experiment). Following a single intravenous dose of raclopride (7.5 mg/kg), an average tissue concentration of approximately 60 nM was detected compared to 15 nM when the drug was dosed at 2 mg/kg, indicating a linear response between dose and detected abundance. SCH 23390 was established to have an average tissue concentration of approximately 15 µM following a single intravenous dose at 5 mg/kg. Both target compounds were also detected in kidney tissue sections when employing the same MSI methodology. This study illustrates that a MSI may well be readily applied to PET ligand research development when using a solvent-free dry matrix coating.

Highly sensitive and selective spectrofluorimetric determination of metoclopramide hydrochloride in pharmaceutical tablets and serum samples using Eu3+ ion doped in sol-gel matrix.

A simple, sensitive and selective spectrofluorimetric method for the determination of Metoclopramide hydrochloride (MCP) is developed. The MCP can remarkably enhances the luminescence intensity of the Eu(3+) ion doped in sol-gel matrix at lambda(ex)=380 nm in DMSO at pH 8.7. The intensity of the emission band of Eu(3+) ion doped in sol-gel matrix increases due to energy transfer from MCP to Eu(3+) in the excited state. The enhancement of the emission band of Eu(3+) ion doped in sol-gel matrix at 617 nm was found to be directly proportional to the concentration of MCP with a dynamic range of 5 x 10(-9) - 1.0 x 10(-6) mol L(-1) and detection limit of 2.2 x10(-11) mol L(-1).

Potentiating effect of Mentha arvensis and chlorpromazine in the resistance to aminoglycosides of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus.

BACKGROUND: This is the first report testing the antibiotic resistance-modifying activity of Mentha arvensis against MRSA (methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus). MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this study an ethanol extract of Mentha arvensis L. and chlorpromazine were tested for their antimicrobial activity alone or in combination with conventional antibiotics against MRSA strains. RESULTS: A potentiating effect of this extract on gentamicin, kanamycin and neomycin was demonstrated. Similarly, a potentiating effect of chlorpromazine on the same aminoglycosides was observed, indicating the involvement of an efflux system in the resistance to these antibiotics. CONCLUSION: It is therefore suggested that extracts from M. arvensis could be used as a source of plant-derived natural products with resistance-modifying activity, such as in the case of aminoglycosides, constituting a new weapon against bacterial resistance to antibiotics, as with chlorpromazine.

Development of an aequorin luminescence calcium assay for high-throughput screening using a plate reader, the LumiLux.

A luminescence assay using a new plate reader, the LumiLux (PerkinElmer, Waltham, MA), has been validated for high-throughput screening (HTS). In this study, we compared the aequorin luminescence-based calcium mobilization assay to the fluorescence-based calcium assay. A cell line stably co-expressing apo-aequorin, a chimeric G-protein, and a G-protein-coupled dopamine receptor was used to screen a collection of 8,106 compounds using the Hamamatsu Photonics (Bridgewater, NJ) FDSS6000 and LumiLux as the plate readers. The assay parameters evaluated included hit rate correlation, signal-to-noise ratio, and overall assay performance calculated by Z and standard deviation. The average Z values and hit rates were comparable between assay platforms;however, the standard deviation for the agonist aequorin assay was significantly smaller. There was also a significant decrease in the number of false-positives with the aequorin assay. These results suggest that the aequorin assay in combination with the new plate reader, LumiLux, provides a simple, cost-effective, robust, and sensitive assay for HTS

Electrogenerated chemiluminescence sensor for metoclopramide determination based on Ru(bpy)3 2+-doped silica nanoparticles dispersed in Nafion on glassy carbon electrode.

A novel method for the determination of metoclopramide (MCP) using electrogenerated chemiluminescence (ECL) is presented. A tris(2,2'-bipyridyl)dichlororuthenium(II) (Ru(bpy)3(2+))-doped silica (RuDS) nanoparticle/perfluoinated ion-exchange resin (Nafion) with nanocomposite membrane modified glassy carbon electrode (GCE) is used. The Ru(bpy)3(2+) encapsulation interior of the silica nanoparticle maintains its electrochemical activities and also reduces Ru(bpy)3(2+) leaching from the silica matrix when immersed in water due to the electrostatic interaction. The analytical performance of this ECL sensor for MCP is shown in detail. Under optimal experimental conditions, it has good linearity in the concentration range from 2 x 10(-8)mol/L to 1 x 10(-5)mol/L (R=0.9989) with a detection limit of 7 x 10(-9)mol/L. The relative standard deviation (n=11) is 3.2% for detecting 1.2 x 10(-6)mol/L MCP. The recoveries are in the range of 97.0-104.4% for sample measurements by standard-addition method. This method has been applied successfully to determine MCP in pharmaceutical preparations and in human urine. Statistical analysis (Student's t-test and variance ratio F-test) of the obtained results show no significant difference between this proposed method and the reference method.

Second-derivative synchronous fluorometric method for the simultaneous determination of cinnarizine and domperidone in pharmaceutical preparations. Application to biological fluids.

A rapid, simple and highly sensitive second derivative synchronous fluorometric method has been developed for the simultaneous analysis of binary mixture of cinnarizine (CN) and domperidone (DOM). The method is based upon measurement of the native fluorescence of these drugs at Deltalambda=80 nm in aqueous methanol (50% V/V). The different experimental parameters affecting the native fluorescence of the studied drugs were carefully studied and optimized. The fluorescence-concentration plots were rectilinear over the range of 0.1 to 1.3 microg mL(-1) and 0.1-3.0 microg mL(-1) for CN and DOM, respectively with lower detection limits of 0.017 and 5.77 x 10(-3) microg mL(-1) and quantification limits of 0.058 and 0.02 microg mL(-1) for CN and DOM. The proposed method was successfully applied for the determination of the studied compounds in synthetic mixtures and in commercial tablets. The results obtained were in good agreement with those obtained with reference methods. The high sensitivity attained by the synchronous fluorometric method allowed the determination of CN in real and spiked human plasma. The mean % recoveries in case of spiked human plasma (n=3) were 96.39+/-1.18 while that in real human plasma (n = 3) was 104.67+/-4.16.

An improved HPLC assay with fluorescence detection for the determination of domperidone and three major metabolites for application to in vitro drug metabolism studies.

Domperidone is currently used in Canada and Europe for the treatment of intestinal motility disorders as well as for its antiemetic properties. Recent drug metabolism studies have indicated that domperidone is a substrate of different subtypes of CYP3A family and consequently, the drug requires complete characterization of its metabolism for the identification of major drug-drug interactions. Therefore, the purpose of our studies was to develop a simple, sensitive and rapid HPLC assay for the determination of domperidone and its major metabolites. This assay had to be suitable for the conduct of in vitro drug metabolism study with human liver microsomes. Baseline resolution of internal standard, domperidone and three of its major metabolites was achieved in a run time of less than 15 min using an Ultrasphere ODS column (250 mm x 4.6 mm x 5 microM) and a mobile phase consisting of disodium citrate buffer (10 mM, pH 3.4):methanol:acetonitrile:trietylamine, 54.6:34.7:9.9:0.8 at a flow rate of 1.0 mL/min. Chromatographic separation was executed at room temperature. Quantification was performed by tandem fluorescence (excitation lambda=282 nm and emission lambda=328 nm) and ultraviolet detectors (lambda=254 nm for the quantification of encainide, internal standard). Calibration curves were constructed and showed linearity in the range of 0.1-20 micromol/L and 10-250 micromol/L. Intra- and interday coefficients of variation were less than 8% and 11%, respectively. Mean accuracy was 100.5+/-9.9% and limit of quantification was established at 0.06 micromol/L for domperidone and its metabolites. The assay allows estimation of enzymatic parameters (K(m) and V(max)) of domperidone for the formation of its various metabolites and sensitivity is sufficient for the conduct of inhibition studies with potent CYP3A inhibitors.

Stability indicating simultaneous determination of domperidone (DP), methylparaben (MP) and propylparaben by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC).

A simple, specific and precise high performance liquid chromatographic method has been developed and validated for the simultaneous determination of methylparaben (MP), propylparaben (PP), and domperidone (DP) in oral suspension. Isocratic mobile phase consists of 0.5% w/v aqueous ammonium acetate buffer:methanol, 40:60 (v/v). Column containing octylsilyl chemically bonded to porous silica particles (Optimapak, OP C8, 150 mmx4.6 mm, 5 microm, stainless steel analytical column from RS tech) is used as stationary phase. The detection is carried out using variable wavelength UV-vis detector set at 280 nm. The solutions are chromatographed at constant flow rate of 1.0 mL/min. The method separates MP, PP, DP and droperidol (DR) impurity in less than 12 min with good resolution, peak shapes and minimal tailing. Retention times (RT) for MP, PP, DP and DR are about 3.4, 7.0, 9.0 and 10.9 min, respectively. Linearity range and percent recoveries for MP, PP and DP are 90-270, 10-30, 50-1500 microg/mL and 100.30%, 100.78% and 100.48%, respectively. Method was validated according to ICH guidelines and proved to be suitable for stability testing, homogeneity testing and quality control of these compounds in pharmaceutical preparations.

Rapid analysis of metabolic stability of dopamine receptor antagonists and detection of their metabolites by liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry.

In vitro metabolic stability of dopamine D(3)/D(4) receptor antagonists and identification of their metabolites by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) coupled with ion-trap mass spectrometry (ITMS) were assessed in rat liver microsomes. The compounds were divided into three cassette groups for rapid quantitative analysis of multiple drugs and simultaneous detection of their metabolites. The samples from incubation with rat liver microsomes were pooled into designed cassette groups and analyzed by HPLC/electrospray ITMS in full-scan mode. The metabolic stability of the drugs was determined by comparing their signals after incubation for 0 and for 30min. The metabolic stability of the examined dopamine receptor antagonists was in the range of 9.9-84.4%. In addition, the present cassette analysis allowed the simultaneous detection of metabolites formed during the same incubation without having to reanalyze the samples. The metabolites were first characterized by nominal mass measurement of the corresponding protonated molecules. Subsequent multistage tandem mass spectrometry on the ion-trap instrument allowed characterization of the structure of the detected metabolites. N,O-dealkylation and ring hydroxylation reactions were identified as major metabolic reactions in piperazinylalkylisoxazole derivatives. These results suggested that the present approach is useful for the rapid evaluation of metabolic stability and structural characterization of metabolites within a short period in new drug discovery.

Determination method of 1-methyl-1,2,3, 4-tetrahydroisoquinoline, an endogenous parkinsonism-preventing substance, by radioimmunoassay.

To develop a sensitive and simple assay method for 1-methyl-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinoline (1MeTIQ), an endogenous parkinsonism-preventing substance, we designed two kinds of 1MeTIQ-bovine serum albumin (BSA) conjugates to recognize the methyl group at the 1 position of 1MeTIQ since this is the critical structural difference between 1MeTIQ and parkinsonism-inducing substances. These hapten antigens were synthesized from 1MeTIQ analogues and BSA. A specific antiserum against 1MeTIQ was obtained from a rabbit immunized with one of the hapten antigens. To utilize this antiserum for radioimmunoassay, detailed studies were carried out to establish optimum conditions. The antiserum recognized 1MeTIQ and showed little cross-reactivity with endogenous 1MeTIQ analogues and proteins. It was confirmed to be suitable for radioimmunoassay, and a standard curve was prepared in the range of 0.5 to 100 pmol of 1MeTIQ. This method was sensitive enough to measure endogenous 1MeTIQ in rat brain. This method should be applicable for evaluation of the progression or prognosis of Parkinson's disease (PD).

Determination of sulpiride by capillary electrophoresis with end-column electrogenerated chemiluminescence detection.

BACKGROUND: Capillary electrophoresis (CE) with tris(2,2'-bipyridyl)ruthenium(II) [Ru(bpy)3(2+)]-electrogenerated chemiluminescence (ECL) detection is a promising method for clinical analysis. In this study, a method combining CE with Ru(bpy)3(2+) ECL (CE-ECL) detection that can be applied to amine-containing clinical species was developed, and the performance of CE-ECL as a quantitative method for determination of sulpiride in human plasma or urine was evaluated. METHODS: Sulpiride was separated by capillary zone electrophoresis in uncoated fused-silica capillaries [50 cm x 25 microm (i.d.)] filled with phosphate buffer (pH 8.0) and a driving voltage of +15 kV, with end-column Ru(bpy)3(2+) ECL detection. A platinum disc electrode was used as working electrode. Sulpiride in human plasma or urine samples (100 microL) was extracted by a double-step liquid-liquid extraction procedure, dried under nitrogen at 35 degrees C in a water bath, and reconstituted with 100 microL of filtered water. The extraction solvent was ethyl acetate-dichloromethane (5:1 by volume). RESULTS: Under optimum conditions (pH 8.0 phosphate buffer, injection for 6 s at 10 kV, and +1.2 V as detection potential), separation of sulpiride was accomplished within 4 min. The calibration curve was linear over a concentration range of 0.05-25.0 micromol/L, and the limit of detection was 2.9 x 10(-8) mol/L for sulpiride. Intra- and interday CVs for ECL intensities were <6%. Extraction recoveries of sulpiride were 95.6-101% with CVs of 2.9-6.0%. The method was clinically validated for patient plasma and urine samples. CONCLUSIONS: CE combined with Ru(bpy)3(2+) ECL is reproducible, precise, selective, and enables the analysis of sulpiride in human plasma and urine. It thus is of value for rapid and efficient analysis of amine-containing analytes of clinical interest.

Derivative spectrophotometric determination of droperidol in presence of parabens.

We have developed a fast and accurate method for the determination of droperidol in the presence of methylparaben and propylparaben using derivative spectrophotometry. The first derivative amplitudes at 255.2 nm were selected for the assay. Calibration graph follows Beer's law in the range of 5-35 microg ml(-1). The coefficient of variation (CV) for intra-day and inter-day precision were less than 1.0 and 2.0%, respectively. The method was applied in the quality control of commercial oral and injection solutions and proved to be suitable for routine analysis.

A validated RP-HPLC method for the determination of mosapride citrate in bulk drug samples and pharmaceutical formulations.

Mosapride citrate, a selective serotonin 5-HT4 agonist, is a novel and potent gastroprokinetic drug. So far no assay procedure has been reported for the estimation of this drug either in bulk drug samples, pharmaceutical formulations or in biological samples. A rapid and sensitive high-performance liquid chromatographic method was developed for the estimation of mosapride citrate in bulk drug samples and pharmaceutical dosage forms. Risperidone was used as an internal standard (ISD). A HPLC system consisting of gradient pump, reverse phase C-18 analytical column, a variable UV-visible detector set at 274 nm and an integrator was used. The mobile phase consisted of acetonitrile: 0.02 M potassium dihydrogen phosphate buffer (pH adjusted to 4.0 with o-phosphoric acid) in the ratio of 50:50 (v/v), and was pumped at 1 ml/min at 40 degrees C. The drug and ISD were eluted at 8.10 and 2.27 min, respectively. The peak drug/ISD area ratio versus drug concentration relationship was linear (r = 0.9998). The method was validated for its linearity, precision and accuracy. The calibration curve was linear in the range of 0.5 to 30 micrograms/ml. The lower detection limit was found to be 0.23 microgram/ml. The intra- and inter-day variation was found to be less than 1% showing high precision of the assay method. The mean recovery of the drug from the solutions containing 2, 4 or 10 micrograms/ml was 101.55 +/- 0.97% indicating high accuracy of the proposed HPLC method.

Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation of the human prefrontal cortex induces dopamine release in the caudate nucleus.

Dopamine is implicated in movement, learning, and motivation, and in illnesses such as Parkinson's disease, schizophrenia, and drug addiction. Little is known about the control of dopamine release in humans, but research in experimental animals suggests that the prefrontal cortex plays an important role in regulating the release of dopamine in subcortical structures. Here we used [(11)C]raclopride and positron emission tomography to measure changes in extracellular dopamine concentration in vivo after repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) of the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex in healthy human subjects. Repetitive TMS of the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex caused a reduction in [(11)C]raclopride binding in the left dorsal caudate nucleus compared with rTMS of the left occipital cortex. There were no changes in binding in the putamen, nucleus accumbens, or right caudate. This shows that rTMS of the prefrontal cortex induces the release of endogenous dopamine in the ipsilateral caudate nucleus. This finding has implications for the therapeutic and research use of rTMS in neurological and psychiatric disorders.