[Activities of enzymes synthesizing catecholamines in areas of the brain stem in sudden infant death]

C R Seances Acad Sci D. 1980 Sep 15;291(2):245-8.
[Article in French]

Abstract

In victims of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome, the activity of phenylethanolamine-N-methyltransferase was found to decrease in the nucleus retroambigu, the Kolliker-Fuse nucleus and the C 2 area of medulla, whereas a decrease in the dopamine-beta-hydroxylase activity was found only in the C 2 area. These results suggest a hypoactivity of adrenergic neurons in respiratory and cardiac centres in the Sudden Infant Death Syndrome.

Publication types

  • English Abstract
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adrenergic Fibers / physiopathology
  • Brain Stem / enzymology*
  • Dopamine beta-Hydroxylase / metabolism*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Infant
  • Infant, Newborn
  • Male
  • Phenylethanolamine N-Methyltransferase / metabolism*
  • Sudden Infant Death*

Substances

  • Dopamine beta-Hydroxylase
  • Phenylethanolamine N-Methyltransferase