A rapid and simple method for the simultaneous determination of four endogenous monoamine neurotransmitters in rat brain using hydrophilic interaction liquid chromatography coupled with atmospheric-pressure chemical ionization tandem mass spectrometry

•A simple quantitative method for the simultaneously determination of four monoamines with no use of ion-pair reagents or derivatization process.•Good performance of matrix effect (84.35–107.44%) with simple sample preparation.•A fast analytical method using HILIC–UPLC–MS/MS within 3.0min.