Infra-red Spectroscopy of Brain Tissue. A Lipid Fraction in Normal and Irradiated Adult and Fetal Rats.

Abstract
Frozen and dried sections of adult and fetal brain tissue were studied by infrared spectroscopy. Examination of tissue sections after treatment with various lipid solvents and comparison of spectra of the extracts with pure compound showed that the characteristic spectrum of brain tissue is caused by lipids. An amide-free lipid fraction is descr. and has been studied quantitatively. Differences in amts. of amide-free lipids between adult and fetal brain were demonstrated. X-ray irradiation decreased the amide-free lipid fraction in adult, and increased that fraction in fetal brain.