应用脑深部电极准确定位颞叶癫痫致痫灶

目的 探讨脑深部电极准确定位颞叶癫痫致痫灶的临床价值。方法 28例疑似颞叶癫痫病人,均实施脑深部电极植入术,均以颞叶内侧为靶点,对重点怀疑致痫灶侧,分别经额叶、颞叶外侧及顶枕叶最多植入3枚电极,对侧依情况植入1～2枚,疑似双颞叶癫痫者最多植入6枚。结果 27例病人明确了致痫灶的具体部位并实施相应手术治疗,其中颞叶内侧型癫痫19例,颞叶外侧型癫痫5例,颞叶外器质性病变导致癫痫发作3例。CT/MRI显示器质性病变9例,其中1例为非致痫性病变。术后癫痫发作总消失率为62.96%(17/27),其中立体定向海马杏仁复合体毁损术5例,海马横切术3例,前颞叶切除术5例,单纯器质性病变切除术4例。结论 准确应用脑深部电极,可达到颞叶癫痫致痫灶的准确定位效果并减少手术创伤,保护脑组织功能,对于颞叶外器质性病变导致的癫痫发作也有定位价值。     

颞前叶、海马、杏仁核切除术的相关解剖结构及手术入路

以颞叶前内基底部痫灶为主引起的钩回发作称之为颞叶癫痫,它占所有癫痫病人的半数以上,是局灶性癫痫的代表。颞叶切除术和海马杏仁核切除术是治疗顽固性颞叶癫痫的一种经典而又常用的手术方式。本文主要根据近年来国内外研究领域的最新进展对颞叶及其周围组织的局部解剖结构和手术术式的选择及其优缺点、术中切除致痫灶的范围等进行阐述。     

颞叶癫痫病灶切除的临床应用研究(附30例临床与病理分析)

本文对30例颞叶癫痫患者进行痫灶切除的研究。其中男性15例,女性15例。手术均在皮层脑电图监测下进行,术后总有效率为93％,重点讨论了颞叶癫痫的临床表现与痫灶定位。还根据皮层脑电图探查结果及手术切除颞叶的范围将颞叶癫痫分为五型,即:颞极型;内基底缘型;颞叶新皮层及后部型;岛叶及额叶底型;外侧及颞底型,这种分类对指导痫灶的切除有现实意义。     

难治性癫痫的外科治疗及术前评估

癫痫是危害较大的神经系统常见病,其中约30%~40%属于难治性癫痫,近年来随着术前评估及外科手术技巧不断改进,特别是显微外科技术的应用,外科治疗尤其是对颞叶内侧癫痫的治疗疗效满意。癫痫的术前评估至关重要,手术效果与术前致痫灶定位准确与否密切相关。癫痫术前评估包括非侵袭性评估(I期)和侵袭性评估(II期),随着新的诊断技术的飞速发展,术前评估通过脑电图、脑磁图、CT、MRI、磁共振波谱、功能MRI成像、单光子发射计算机断层扫描和正电子发射计算机断层扫描等以确定病人致痫灶。癫痫手术方式主要有颞叶切除术、选择性杏仁核海马切除术、胼胝体切开术、大脑半球切除术等。本文就癫痫手术适应证、术前评估、手术方式等予以综述。     

颞叶癫痫21例手术治疗分析

目的 探讨颞叶癫痫的外科治疗方法及效果。方法 21例颞叶癫痫患者，术前均行EEG、MRI检查，其中6例行PET检查，经定侧定位后，行手术治疗。其中13例行标准前颞叶切除术，5例行病灶切除 致痫灶切除，3例 行选择性海马杏仁核切除。术中应用皮层电极或深部电极进行监测；神经导航下海马钙化切除1例。结果 术后无明显并发症，均取得满意近期效果。结论 海马硬化是颞叶癫痫发生的主要原因；手术是治疗颞叶癫痫的重要手段，且疗效满意。     

颞叶癫痫手术时的皮质脑电描记

报告1980年10月至1992年6月间,在皮质脑电描记下手术治疗颞叶癫痫55例,前颞叶切除50例.杏仁核海马切除5例。皮质脑电描记结果说明颞叶癫痫的痫灶绝大多数来源于颞叶外侧皮质和颞叶内侧结构。术中皮质脑电描记可提供痫灶的精确部位和范围。     

脑皮质发育不良继发顽固性癫痫的病理分型及手术治疗

目的 探讨局灶性脑发育不良(FCD)的临床特征、病理学、影像学的特点及手术疗效.方法 42例外科手术切除致痫灶并经病理证实为FCD的患者中,根据Palmini病理学分型进行分类,并对其临床特征、影像学特点及手术疗效进行回顾性分析.结果 42例患者中,按致痫灶部位分类颢叶24例、额叶14例、顶叶6例及枕叶3例,其中多脑叶5例.术前影像学检查阳性率62%.组织学分型FCDⅠA型9例,FCDⅠB型21例,FCDⅡA型5例,FCDⅡB型7例,其中以FCD Ⅰ B型最为常见,多位于颞叶且常伴有海马硬化.所有患者术后至少随访1年以上,癫痫术后治愈率FCD位于颞叶67%,颞叶以外43%(EngleⅠa).结论 FCD是难治性癫痫常见的病理学改变,其病理分型与临床特征和致痫灶部位存在相关性,为制定手术方案和判定手术效果提供了依据.     

颞叶占位性病变伴癫痫患者的手术治疗研究

目的探讨颞叶占位性病变伴癫痫患者手术治疗的疗效,分析多种致痫灶定位技术的联合应用对手术疗效的影响。方法回顾性分析31例颞叶占位性病变伴癫痫患者术前脑电图及术后随访资料,其中囊性占位7例,海绵状血管瘤6例,胶质瘤16例,其他病变2例;应用MRI、视频脑电图、脑磁图行致痫灶定位,术中应用皮质脑电图再次精确致痫灶范围后行前颞叶联合海马切除术,术后随访评估疗效。结果长程VEEG监测中,20例患者均有惯常发作和发作间期痫样放电,14例(14/20)患者发作间期痫样放电位于单侧颞叶及海马区,其中合并同侧额区放电5例。6例(6/20)患者发作间期放电位于双侧颞叶,其中合并单侧额区放电2例。8例(8/20)起源于左侧颞叶及海马区,12例(12/20)起源于右侧。MEG检查20例患者发作间歇期皆有痫样放电,检出率为100%,17例(17/20)患者单侧颞叶放电,其中合并同侧额区放电8例;3例(3/20)患者双颞放电。术后随访12~24个月:16例患者Ⅰ级,3例Ⅱ级,1例Ⅲ级,手术有效率100%,效果良好率95%。结论颞叶占位性病变伴癫痫患者的手术治疗疗效好,多种致痫灶定位技术的联合应用可提高手术疗效并有效减少术后并发症。     

边缘系统癫痫术前致痫灶定位的复杂性（附3例临床报道）

目的 探讨癫痫外科中边缘系统癫痫(LE)术前定位的复杂性以及临床中的相应对策.方法 选择致痫病灶位于边缘系统的局灶性癫痫患者3例,所有患者皆在我研究所实施了局灶性切除手术,术后随访1年以上效果良好.对这3例患者术前各项评估结果,包括发作症状、头皮脑电图(EEG)及MRI进行分析比较.结果 3例患者中,1例患者致痫灶位于右侧海马及海马旁回,但头皮EEG发作期与发作间期异常放电皆出现在对侧.另一例患者致痫灶位于右侧海马旁回后部,靠近穹隆.头皮EEG与发作症状显示患者为双侧独立起源的颞叶癫痫.最后1例致痫灶部位与第2例相似,但症状及头皮发作期EEG显示为额叶起源.结论 LE不论从症状、神经电生理还是在手术决策方面都非常复杂.颞叶内侧型癫痫头皮EEG可出现定位错误;临床表现为双侧颞叶癫痫的致痫灶可能来自位于颞叶后部中线附近的单一致痫灶;LE中致痫灶位于相似部位的患者,可以因致痫灶病理性质不同而表现出非常不同的临床表现.     

癫痫的外科治疗（附69例报告）

痫灶切除是提高疗效的关键，本文介绍寻找痫灶的体会。指出前颞叶切除、选择性杏仁核海马切除，胼胝体前部切开合并扣带回毁损，扩展了癫痫外科治疗的范围，并收到较好疗效。     

Developing methods for assessing quality of life in different cultural settings

Abstract. Background: This review traces the 12-year history of an international collaboration of researchers—the WHOQOL Group—who were brought together by the World Health Organisation to develop and produce a cross-cultural measure of quality of life for use in health and health care. Discussion: The theoretical and philosophical basis of the WHOQOL instrument is outlined as it evolved throughout the design and adjustment of a reflexive methodology that places an assessment of the users views at the centre of health care. The stages of research are further expanded and explained in recounting the scientific experience of this unique collaboration. The WHOQOL is available in 40 countries and most majority languages. Adaptations exist for assessing particular conditions, e. g. spirituality, religion and personal beliefs.1 The paper is based on data and experience obtained as part of the WHO study to develop a QoL measure (WHOQOL). The collaborators in this study have been at WHO Geneva: Dr. Norman Sartorius, Dr. J. Orley, Dr. Willem Kuyken and Dr. Mick Power. In the Field Research Centres collaborating investigators are Prof. Helen Herrman, Dr. H. Schofield and Ms B. Murphy, Univ. of Melbourne, Australia, Prof. Z. Metelko, Prof. S. Szabo and Mrs. M. Pibernik-Okanovic, Institute of Diabetes, Endocrinology and Metabolic Diseases and Dept. of Psychology, Faculty of Philosophy, Univ. of Zagreb, Croatia, Dr. N. Quemada and Dr. A. Caria, INSERM, Paris, France, Dr. S. Rajkumar and Mrs. Shuba Kumar, Madras Medical College, India, Dr. S. Saxena, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Delhi, India, Dr. D. Baron and Dr. M. Amir, Ben Gurion Univ., Beer Sheeva Israel, Dr. Miyako Tazaki, Dept. of Science, Science Univ. of Tokyo, Japan and Dr. Ariko Noji, Dept. of Community Health Nursing, St. Lukes College of Nursing, Japan, Dr. G. van Heck and Mrs. J. de Vries, Tilburg Univ., The Netherlands, Prof. J. Arroyo-Sucre and Prof. Pichard-Ami, Univ. of Panama, Panama, Prof. M. Kabanov, Dr. A. Lomachenkov, and Dr. G. Burkovsky, Bekhterev Psychoneurological Institute, St. Petersburg, Russia, Dr. R. Lucas Carrasco, Barcelona, Spain, Dr. Yooth Bodharamik and Mr. Kitikorn Meesapya, Institute of Mental Health, Bangkok, Thailand, Dr. S. Skevington, Dept. of Psychology, Univ. of Bath, Bath, UK, Dr. D. Patrick, Ms M. Martin and Ms D. Wild, Univ. of Washington, Seattle, USA and Prof.W. Acuda and Dr. J. Mutambirwa, Univ. of Zimbabwe, Harare,Zimbabwe. An international panel of consultants includes: Dr. N. K. Aaronson, Dr. P. Bech, Dr. M. Bullinger, Dr. He-Nian Chen, Dr. J. Fox-Rushby, Dr. C. Moinpur and Dr. R. Rosser. Consultants who have advised WHO at various stages of the development of the project have included: Dr. D. Buesching, Dr. D. Bucquet, Dr. L. W. Chambers, Dr. B. Jambon, Dr. C. D. Jenkinson, Dr. D. De Leo, Dr. L. Fallowfield, Dr. P. Gerin, Dr. P. Graham, Dr. O. Gureje, Dr. K. Kalumba, Dr. Kerr-Corea, Dr. C. Mercier, Mr. J. Oliver, Dr. Y. H. Poortinga, Dr. R. Trotter and Dr. F. van Dam     

Hemispheric lateralization in an analysis of speech sounds. Left hemisphere dominance replicated in Japanese subjects

Evoked magnetic responses to speech sounds [R. N??t?nen, A. Lehtokoski, M. Lennes, M. Cheour, M. Huotilainen, A. Iivonen, M. Vainio, P. Alku, R.J. Ilmoniemi, A. Luuk, J. Allik, J. Sinkkonen and K. Alho, Language-specific phoneme representations revealed by electric and magnetic brain responses. Nature, 385 (1997) 432-434.] were recorded from 13 Japanese subjects (right-handed). Infrequently presented vowels ([o]) among repetitive vowels ([e]) elicited the magnetic counterpart of mismatch negativity, MMNm (Bilateral, nine subjects; Left hemisphere alone, three subjects; Right hemisphere alone, one subject). The estimated source of the MMNm was stronger in the left than in the right auditory cortex. The sources were located posteriorly in the left than in the right auditory cortex. These findings are consistent with the results obtained in Finnish [R. N??t?nen, A. Lehtokoski, M. Lennes, M. Cheour, M. Huotilainen, A. Iivonen, M.Vainio, P.Alku, R.J. Ilmoniemi, A. Luuk, J. Allik, J. Sinkkonen and K. Alho, Language-specific phoneme representations revealed by electric and magnetic brain responses. Nature, 385 (1997) 432-434.][T. Rinne, K. Alho, P. Alku, M. Holi, J. Sinkkonen, J. Virtanen, O. Bertrand and R. N??t?nen, Analysis of speech sounds is left-hemisphere predominant at 100-150 ms after sound onset. Neuroreport, 10 (1999) 1113-1117.] and English [K. Alho, J.F. Connolly, M. Cheour, A. Lehtokoski, M. Huotilainen, J. Virtanen, R. Aulanko and R.J. Ilmoniemi, Hemispheric lateralization in preattentive processing of speech sounds. Neurosci. Lett., 258 (1998) 9-12.] subjects. Instead of the P1m observed in Finnish [M. Tervaniemi, A. Kujala, K. Alho, J. Virtanen, R.J. Ilmoniemi and R. N??t?nen, Functional specialization of the human auditory cortex in processing phonetic and musical sounds: A magnetoencephalographic (MEG) study. Neuroimage, 9 (1999) 330-336.] and English [K. Alho, J. F. Connolly, M. Cheour, A. Lehtokoski, M. Huotilainen, J. Virtanen, R. Aulanko and R.J. Ilmoniemi, Hemispheric lateralization in preattentive processing of speech sounds. Neurosci. Lett., 258 (1998) 9-12.] subjects, prior to the MMNm, M60, was elicited by both rare and frequent sounds. Both MMNm and M60 sources were posteriorly located in the left than the right hemisphere.     

Book Reviews

Book reviewed in this article:
Clinical Applications of Evoked Potentials in Neurology (Advances in Neurology, Vol. 32), Jean Courjon, Frangois Mauguiére, and Michel Revol
Phenomenology and Treatment of Psychophysiological Disorders, William E. Fann, Ismet Karacan, Alex D. Pokorny, and Robert L. Williams
Neonatal Neurology, Gerald M. Fenichel
A Textbook of Biological Feedback, Marietta Fischer-Williams, Alfred J. Nigl, and David L. Sovina
Toxicologic Emergencies: A Comprehensive Handbook in Problem Solving, 2nd Ed., Lewis R. Goldfrank
Nervous System Toxicology, C. L. Mitchell
Clinical Neuroepidemiology, F. C. Rose
Adverse Effects of Antiepileptic Drugs, D. Schmidt and L. Seldon
Computed Tomography of the Head and Spine. A Photographic Color Atlas of CT, Gross, and Microscopic Anatomy, H. N. Schnitzlein, E. W. Hartley, F. R. Murtagh, L. Grundy, and J. J. Fargher
Geriatric Neurology: Selected Topics, W. R. Slade
Neurology for the Non-Neurologist, William J. Weiner and Christopher G. Goetz     

Book Reviews

Book reviewed in this article:
The Amygdaloid Complex, Yehezkel Ben-Ari (ed.). Elsevier
Basic Concepts and Methods (Fundamentals of EEG Technology, Vol. 1), Fay S. Tyner, John R. Knott, and W. Br em Mayer, Jr. Raven Press
Care of the Neurologically Handicapped Child. A Book for Parents and Professionals, A. L. Prensky and H. S. Palkes
Epilepsy. A Handbook for Patients, Parents, Families, Teachers, Health and Social Workers, Allen H. Middleton, Arthur A. Attwell, and Gregory O. Walsh
Essentials of Clinical Neurology, Leon A. Weisberg, Richard L. Strub, and Carlos A. Garcia
Harrison's Principles of Internal Medicine (10th ed.), Robert G. Petersdorf, Raymond D. Adams, Eugene Braunwald, Kurt J. Is-selbacher, Joseph B. Martin, and Jean D. Wilson (eds.)
Hughlings Jackson on Psychiatry, Kenneth Dewhurst
Psychopharmacology of Anticonvulsants, Merton Sandler (ed.)     

The Environment and Staff of Residential Facilities: Findings from the Italian ‘Progres’ National Survey

We administered structured interviews to managers and staff of a random sample of 265 Italian psychiatric Residential Facilities (RFs). Most are independent buildings, located in urban and suburban areas. The median number of residents is 10. The few RFs (5.7%) with more than 20 beds have a higher rate of drop-outs and escapes. The average indoor space per resident is 36 square meters, there is often a garden, and residents generally live in two-bed rooms. Most facilities are located within walking distance of shopping centers or recreational facilities. Three-quarters have 24-hour staff coverage. On average, each facility has about 10 full-time equivalent workers, with a staff:resident ratio of 0.92. Most of the professional input is provided by nurses and auxiliary staff. Critical issues to be considered in planning facilities include the physical environment, the size, and the staffing patterns. Angelo Picardi, Giovanni de Girolamo, and Pierluigi Morosini are affiliated with the National Mental Health Project, Italian National Institute of Health, Rome, Italy.Giovanni Santone is affiliated with the Psychiatric Clinic, United Hospitals of Ancona and University of Marche, Ancona, Italy.Ian Falloon is affiliated with the University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand.Angelo Fioritti is affiliated with the Program on Mental Health and Pathological Dependence, AUSL of Rimini, Rimini, Italy.Rocco Micciolo is affiliated with the Chair of Biostatistics, University of Trento, Trento, Italy.Enrico Zanalda is affiliated with the Department of Mental Health, Turin, Italy.The PROGRES Group includes: National Coordinators: G. de Girolamo, M.D., A. Picardi, M.D., P. Morosini, M.D. (National Mental Health Project, National Institute of Health, Rome); Biostatistician: R. Micciolo, M.D. (University of Trento); Regional Coordinators: P. Argentino, M.D., G. Borsetti, M.D., M. Casacchia, M.D., P. Ciliberti, M.D., G. Civenti, M.S.W., A. Colotto, M.D., G. Dell’Acqua, M.D., W. Di Munzio, M.D., G. Fagnano, D.Psyc., A. Fioritti, M.D., N. Longhin, M.D., M. Miceli, M.D., M. Nicotera, M.D., M. Pisetta, R. Putzolu, E. Rossi, M.D., M.E. Rotunno, M.D., D. Semisa, M.D., R. Tomasi, M.D., P. Tulli, D.Psyc., E. Zanalda, M.D.     

Risk factors for a first generalized tonic-clonic seizure in adult life

To evaluate risk factors for a first generalized tonic-clonic seizure (GTCS) in adults (=15 years), we performed a multicenter, case-control study involving eleven first-referral neurological departments in north-western Italy. The study enrolled 278 patients with a first GTCS, and 556 age- and sex-matched hospital controls. Cases and controls were interviewed through a questionnaire (inter-rater and index-proxy agreement varied between 75% and 100% for the different questions). Risk factors significantly associated with a first GTCS were: severe head trauma (odds ratio 9.9; 95% confidence limits 2.0–67.1), siblings with seizures (5.7; 1.7–21.4), alcohol intake >50 grams/day (4.9; 3.1–7.9), history of stroke (3.8; 1.8–8.0), complications of delivery (2.7; 1.5–5.1), other relatives with seizures (2.4; 1.3–4.6), sleep deprivation (2.4; 1.4–4.1), low gestational age (1.9; 1.1–3.4), mild-moderate head trauma (1.8; 1.2–3.0), and low birth weight (1.6; 1.0–2.7). Genetic and late acquired factors and life habits are major risk factors for a first GTCS in adults, while pre- and perinatal events play only a minor role. Received: 22 Novembre 2001 / Accepted in revised form: 11 June 2002 RID="*" ID="*"The Alcohol and Epilepsy Study Group includes: L. Sironi, Neurology Department, Regional Hospital, Aosta; F. Brignolio, E. Duc, V. Montano, A. Tribolo, Division of Neurology, Civil Hospital, Asti; V.Nardozza, M. Gionco, Division of Neurology, Ospedale degli Infermi, Biella; E. Grasso, P. Meineri, M.G. Rosso, Division of Neurology, Santa Croce Hospital, Cuneo; A. Villani, A. Margaroli, P. Julita, G. Savoini, Division of Neurology, S. Biagio Hospital, Domodossola; M.S. De Angelis, M. Gianelli, P. Naldi, E. Terazzi, Neurology Clinic, Maggiore della Carit/agrave; Hospital, Novara; G. Amedeo, A. Campanella, M. De Mattei, E. Rocci, P. Zaina, Neurology Department, Molinette Hospital, Turin; M. Nobili, L. Vivalda, D. Leotta, U. Morino, Division of Neurology, Martini Hospital, Turin; R. Bacci, D. Daniele, Division of Neurology, Mauriziano Hospital, Turin; R. Rubino, P. Provera, Division of Neurology, Civil Hospital, Tortona; M. Andreotti, D. Mittino, Division of Neurology, SS. Trinità Hospital, Varallo Sesia. Correspondence to M. Leone     

Book Reviews

Book reviewed in this article:
Brain, Behavior and Evolution, Vol. 1, No. 1, pp. 1–88, 1968, published by Karger, Basel, bimonthly.
The Electrical Activity of the Nervous System, a Textbook for Students, 3rd edition, by M. A. B. Brazier.
European Neurology (Succeeding Section B of Psychiatria et Neurologia, Vol. 154), Editor-in-Chief H. A. E. Kaeser, Karger, Basel.     

深圳市外来青年工人的心理健康状况调查

为了解外来青年工人的心理健康水平，采用９０项症状清单（ＳＣＬ－９０）、艾森克个性问卷（ＥＰＱ）、社会支持量表和自编劳动心理卫生调查表，对深圳市３７１名外来青年工人（研究组）的心理健康状况进行了调查，并与１００名当地青年工人（对照组）及全国常模比较。结果：研究组的ＳＣＬ－９０评定总均分、阳性症状均分以及强迫、人际敏感、恐怖３个因子分均显著高于对照组（Ｐ＜０．０５～０．０１）。外来青年工人心理健康水平低于当地青年工人，也低于全国常模。多因素分析显示，主要影响因素依次为：神经质程度、精神压力程度、收入、思家程度、婚恋情况、性格内外倾向、居住条件及社会地位。提示心理卫生工作者应加强对外来青年工人的心理辅导和咨询工作，预防心理障碍的发生     

Lipid mediators and their metabolism in the nucleous: implications for Alzheimer's disease

Lipid mediators are important endogenous regulators derived from enzymatic degradation of glycerophospholipids, sphingolipids, and cholesterol by phospholipases, sphingomyelinases, and cytochrome P450 hydroxylases, respectively. In neural cells, lipid mediators are associated with proliferation, differentiation, oxidative stress, inflammation, and apoptosis. A major group of lipid mediators, which originates from the enzymatic oxidation of arachidonic acid, is called eicosanoids (i.e., prostaglandins, leukotrienes, thromboxanes, and lipoxins). The corresponding lipid mediators of docosahexaenoic acid metabolism are named as docosanoids. They include resolvins, protectins (neuroprotectins), and maresins. Docosanoids produce antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antiapoptotic effects in brain tissue. Other glycerophospholipid-derived lipid mediators are platelet activating factor, lysophosphatidic acid, and endocannabinoids. Degradation of sphingolipids also results in the generation of sphingolipid-derived lipid mediators, such as ceramide, ceramide 1-phosphate, sphingosine, and sphingosine 1-phosphate. These mediators are involved in differentiation, growth, cell migration, and apoptosis. Similarly, cholesterol-derived lipid mediators, hydroxycholesterol, produce apoptosis. Abnormal metabolism of lipid mediators may be closely associated with pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease.     

Measurement of total nitric oxide metabolite (NO(x)(-)) levels in vivo

The measurement of the total level of nitric oxide (NO) metabolite (NO(x)(-)) by microdialysis has recently been used to assess the production of NO in the in vivo brain [D. Luo, S. Knezevich, S.R. Vincent, N-Methyl-D-aspartate-induced nitric oxide release: an in vivo microdialysis study, Neuroscience, 57 (1993), 897-900; K. Ohta, N. Arai, M. Shibata, J. Hamada, S. Komatsumoto, K. Shimazu, Y. Fukuuchi, A novel in vivo system for consecutive measurement of brain nitric oxide production combined with the microdialysis technique, Neurosci. Lett., 176 (1994), 165-168; K. Shintani, S. Kanba, T. Nakai, K. Sato, G. Yagi, R. Kato, M. Arai, Measurement by in vivo microdialysis of nitric oxide release in the rat cerebellum, J. Psychiatr. Neurosci., 3 (1994), 217-221; H. Togashi, K. Mori, K. Ueno, M. Matsumoto, N. Suda, H. Saito, M. Yoshika, Consecutive evaluation of nitric oxide production after transient cerebral ischemia in the rat hippocampus using in vivo brain microdialysis, Neurosci. Lett., 240 (1998), 53-57]. Although several methods are available for detecting NO(x)(-) levels in dialysates, these methods are either not sensitive enough or require expensive experimental equipment. The method described herein provides a convenient and sensitive procedure for determining NO(x)(-) levels in dialysates. This method is useful for the in vivo study of NO production from various brain regions in various pathological conditions, and can be applied to other tissues.