Concomitant development of [3H]-dopamine and [3H]-5-hydroxytryptamine uptake systems in rat brain regions.

1 Synaptosomal uptake mechanisms of 5-hydroxytryptamine and dopamine were examined in cerebral cortex, corpus striatum and midbrain plus brainstem of developing rats. 2 In all regions, there was generally a parallel biphasic development of both uptake systems; the most rapid increases occurred in the first two weeks postpartum, followed by a slower rate of increase. 3 Kinetic studies with dopamine indicated that the maturation involved increases in maximal uptake without a change in the substrate Km, suggesting that there is a change in the number or terminals but not in the uptake system per se.