NEUROCHEMICAL ANALYZER

神经科学系的成员在学校的 目前正在开展小灵通资助的临床和基础医学 研究计划有关的机制和治疗 退化性中枢神经系统疾病，包括阿尔茨海默氏症 疾病，帕金森综合征，癫痫以及正常衰老的研究。 这些研究的一个主要方面涉及神经递质， 神经肽、氨基酸和药物分析 液相色谱电化学检测 仪器仪表 大多数检测通过以下方式提供： 与附近的调查人员进行合作 机构职能体系 当前和未来的人类和动物模型研究， 然而，涉及大量的样本，需要测量 其他重要的神经化学物质或药物，从而使 这些合作安排不切实际，也不充分。 的 需要一种具有上级分析分辨率的仪器 为了精确地分析复杂的生物组织（例如，人脑， CSF和血浆），同时能够处理大量 样本数量。 神经化学分析仪（NCA）， 最近由ESA，Inc.唯一地 符合这些标准。 要求提供资金购买NCA 作为一个部门的“核心”设备，供共享使用， 资助的调查人员。 与其他HPLC-EC系统不同，NCA 结合：i）通过其独特的上级分析分辨率 16个电化学检测器的阵列; ii） 在单次45分钟运行中定量超过80种化合物; iii）高 通过其冷藏的100个样品自动进样器的体积容量， 电脑驱动，24小时（通宵）无人值守操作;以及iv） 常规灵敏度在中等飞秒（5 X 10-13）范围内。 五 内部咨询委员会成员将监督其使用。 期间 前两年，三大用户将100%利用这一点， 仪器的时间基于24小时，每周工作5天。 在 随着时间的推移，8个 部门调查人员将被允许使用该工具， 用于研究项目中的神经化学分析。 PI在分析开发方面具有丰富的经验， 方法使用HPLC-EC仪器，并将培训和监督 用户的技术人员在操作和使用NCA。

Members of the Department of Neurosciences at the School of Medicine are currently conducting PHS funded clinical and basic research programs concerning the mechanisms and treatment of degenerative central nervous system diseases including Alzheimer's disease, Parkinsonism, epilipsy as well as studies of normal aging. A major aspect of these studies involves neurotransmitter, neuropeptide, amino acid, and drug analyses using high-performance liquid chromatography, electrochemical detection (HPLC-EC) instrumentation. The majority of assays have been provided through collaborative arragnements with investigators at nearby institutions. Current and future human and animal model studies, however, involve larger numbers of samples and the need to measure other important neurochemical or drug substances, thus rendering these collaborative arrangements impractical and inadequate. The need exists for an instrument with superior analytical resolution to accurately assay complex biological tissues (e.g., human brain, CSF, and plasma) and at the same time be able to process large numbers of samples. The Neurochem Neurochemical Analyzer (NCA), an HPLC-EC instrument recently developed by ESA, Inc. uniquely fulfills these criteria. Funds are requested to purchase the NCA to serve as a departmental "core" apparatus for the shared use of its funded investigators. Unlike other HPLC-EC systems, the NCA combines: i) a superior analytical resolution through its unique array of 16 electrochemical detectors; ii) capability of quantifying over 80 compounds in a single 45 mins run; iii) high volume capacity through its refrigerated 100 sample autosampler and computer driven, 24 hr (overnight) unattended operation; and iv) routine sensitivity in the mid femtogram (5 X 10-13) range. A five member internal advisory board will oversee its use. During the first two years the three major user will utilize 100% of this instrument's time based on a 24 hr, five day work week. In subsequent years, as time becomes available, eight other departmental investigators will be permitted to use this instrument for neurochemical analyses involved in their research projects. The PI has extensive experience in the development of analytical methods using HPLC-EC instruments and will train and supervise the users' technicians in the operation and use of the NCA.