Central Monoamine Neurons
Considerable interest has been focused on a group of biologically highly active substances often called biogenic monoamines including dopamine (DA), noradrenaline (NA), adrenaline (A) and 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT). Initially their existence in various non-neuronal cell systems and their role as hormones called for extensive research efforts. Subsequently their possible involvement in neurotransmission both in the peripheral and central nervous system has been studied in laboratories all over the world.Today a wide variety of methods are available for studies on monoamine neurons among others histochemical techniques at the light and electron microscopic level. These techniques have been of importance not only for identification and mapping of such neurons but also for the understanding of their physiological role(s) e.g. in brain function.