Irreversible blockade of central 5-HT binding sites by 8-methoxy-2'-chloro-PAT

We have synthesized 8-methoxy-2-(N-2'-chloropropyl, N-propyl) aminotetralin (8-methoxy-2'-chloro-PAT), an alkylating agent derived from the potent 5-HT agonist, 8-hydroxy-2-(N,N-dipropyl)-aminotetralin (PAT). As expected for an irreversible ligand, the blockade of 3H-PAT or 3H-5-HT binding to post-synaptic 5-HT1 (A and B) sites in rat hippocampal membranes pretreated with 8-methoxy-2'-chloro-PAT could not be prevented by extensive washing of membranes. Prior occupancy of 5-HT1 sites by 5-HT or PAT prevented any subsequent irreversible blockade by the alkylating agent. Similar irreversible blockade by 8-methoxy-2'-chloro-PAT was found on 3H-PAT binding to striatal membranes suggesting that presynaptic 5-HT binding sites (see Gozlan et al., Nature, Lond. 305, 140, 1983) were sensitive also to the alkylating agent. In contrast, the modifying agent N-ethylmaleimide (NEM) reduced markedly 3H-PAT binding to postsynaptic hippocampal 5-HT1 sites, but did not alter 3H-PAT binding to striatal presynaptic 5-HT sites. Although 8-methoxy-2'-chloro-PAT bound irreversibly to different classes of 5-HT binding sites (5-HT1A, 5-HT1B, presynaptic sites), it can be considered a selective alkylating agent, since it exerted no action on 3H-spiperone binding to 5-HT2 sites, 3H-muscimol binding to GABA sites, or 3H-flunitrazepam binding to benzodiazepine sites.     

The selective labelling of central 5-HT1A receptor binding sites by [3H]5-methoxy-3-(di-n-propylamino)chroman

Investigations on the pharmacological properties of a series of chroman derivatives indicated that 5-methoxy-3-(di-n-propylamino)chroman (5-MeO-DPAC) acts in the nM range on 5-HT1A sites but recognizes very poorly other 5-HT sites and D2 sites in rat brain membranes. As expected from these observations, the tritiated derivative [3H]5-MeO-DPAC bound to a single class of specific sites which exhibited the same pharmacological properties as 5-HT1A sites labelled by [3H]8-OH-DPAT in hippocampal and cortical membranes. In contrast to [3H]8-OH-DPAT, [3H]5-MeO-DPAC did not bind to presynaptic striatal sites (possibly associated with 5-HT reuptake in serotoninergic terminals), which indicated that this new chroman derivative was even more selective than the [3H]tetralin ligand for the in vitro labelling of 5-HT1A sites. Comparison of the chemical structures of 5-MeO-DPAC and other 5-HT1A ligands suggests that electronic enrichment due to isosteric O-substitution in the chroman derivative may play an important role in the highly selective recognition of the 5-HT1A receptor by this drug.     

Stereoselective blockade of central [3H]5-hydroxytryptamine binding to multiple sites (5-HT1A, 5-HT1B and 5-HT1C) by mianserin and propranolol

The interaction of the enantiomers of mianserin and propranolol with the binding of [3H]5-hydroxytryptamine ([3H]5-HT) to the 5-HT1A, 5-HT1B and 5-HT1C sites, and with the binding of [3H]ketanserin to the 5-HT2 site, has been evaluated in rat brain membranes. A stereoselective interaction at the 5-HT1A, 5-HT1B and 5-HT1C sites was demonstrated for both compounds, with (+)-mianserin being a more potent displacer than (-)-mianserin and (-)-propranolol being more potent than (+)-propranolol. Only mianserin interacted in a stereoselective manner with the 5-HT2 site, (+)-mianserin being the more potent isomer. The stereoselective association of mianserin and propranolol with the 5-HT1A, 5-HT1B and 5-HT1C sites may prove useful in the characterization of these sites.     

Stereoselective blockade at the 5-HT autoreceptor and inhibition of radioligand binding to central 5-HT recognition sites by the optical isomers of methiothepin

The enantiomers of the 5-HT autoreceptor antagonist methiothepin have been prepared and their activity as antagonists of the 5-HT autoreceptor and at the 5-HT recognition sites present in the frontal cortex of the rat have been evaluated. At the 5-HT autoreceptor, the order of potency as antagonists of 5-HT was (+)methiothepin (apparent pA2 5.95) less than (+/-)methiothepin (apparent pA2 6.62) less than or equal to (-)methiothepin (apparent pA2 6.81). At the 5-HT2 recognition site, the isomeric forms of methiothepin were potent (pIC50 approximately 8.2) and equiactive. At the subtypes of the 5-HT1 recognition sites, similar concentrations to those blocking the autoreceptor were effective and (+)methiothepin was less active than (-)methiothepin. It is concluded that the chiral association of methiothepin with the 5-HT autoreceptor provides further evidence for a pharmacological similarity between this receptor and the 5-HT1B subtype of the 5-HT1 recognition site.     

Localization of 5-HT3 receptor binding sites in human dorsal vagal complex

Binding of the 5-HT3 receptor ligand [3H]BRL 43694 was investigated in the human medulla oblongata using in vitro autoradiography. High levels of saturable, displaceable binding (Bmax 1.88 pmol/mg protein, Kd 1.21 nM) were seen in the dorsal vagal complex but in no other medullary region. The results provide evidence for the existence of 5-HT3 receptor binding sites in a brain region involved in the control of vomiting in man.     

Acute and chronic tryptophan depletion differentially regulate central 5-HT1A and 5-HT2A receptor binding in the rat

Rationale Tryptophan depletion is used to reduce central serotonergic function and to investigate its role in psychiatric illness. Despite widespread clinical use, its effects on serotonin (5-HT) receptors have not been well characterized. Objective The aim of this study was to examine the effect of acute (ATD) and chronic tryptophan depletion (CTD) on free-plasma tryptophan (TRP), central TRP and 5-HT and brain 5-HT_1A and 5-HT_2A receptor binding in the rat. Methods TRP and 5-HT were measured by high-performance liquid chromatography and receptor levels determined by homogenate radioligand binding and in-vitro receptor autoradiography. Results Free-plasma TRP, central TRP and central 5-HT levels were significantly and similarly reduced by ATD and 1- and 3-week CTD compared to controls. ATD significantly reduced 5-HT_1A binding in the dorsal raphe (14%) but did not significantly alter postsynaptic 5-HT_1A binding (frontal cortex, remaining cortex and hippocampus) or 5-HT_2A binding (cortex and striatum). One-week CTD did not significantly alter cortical 5-HT_2A binding or postsynaptic 5-HT_1A binding. Furthermore, 3-week CTD did not significantly alter 5-HT_1A binding but significantly increased cortical 5-HT_2A binding without affecting striatal or hippocampal levels. In the CTD 1 and 3-week groups, rat body weight was significantly decreased as compared to controls. However, weight loss was not a confounding factor for decreased cortical 5-HT_2A-receptor binding. Conclusion ATD-induced reduction in somatodendritic 5-HT_1A autoreceptor binding may represent an intrinsic ‘homeostatic response’ reducing serotonergic feedback in dorsal raphe projection areas. In contrast, the increase in 5-HT_2A receptor after CTD may be a compensatory response to a long-term reduction in 5-HT.     

Differential selectivities of RU 24969 and 8-OH-DPAT for the purported 5-HT1A and 5-HT1B binding sites. Correlation between 5-HT1A affinity and hypotensive activity

RU 24969 and 8-hydroxy-2-(di-n-propylamino)tetralin (8-OH-DPAT) inhibited the specific binding of [³H]5-HT (2 nM) to rat brain membranes with shallow displacement curves. The displacement data were best fitted with a model of two independent, high and low affinity binding sites. Following addition of spiperone (1 μM) as a selective ligand for the putative 5-HT_1A recognition site of [³H]5-HT, the displacement curve of RU 24969 underwent a leftward shift, whereas spiperone induced a shift to the right for the displacement curve of 8-OH-DPAT. In contrast to spiperone, pindolol (1 μM) shifted the displacement curve of RU 24969 to the right. These results suggest that RU 24969 possesses preference for the purported 5-HT_1B subtype of central 5-HT₁ recognition site. The reported significant linear correlation between hypotensive activity following intravenous (i.v.) administration to anesthetized rats and affinity for the central 5-HT₁ binding site could only be maintained by incorporation of the affinity of RU 24969 for its low and 8-OH-DPAT for its high affinity binding site. Based on the proposal that the 5-HT_1A site corresponds to the high affinity site of 8-OH-DPAT and the low affinity site of RU 24969, it is hypothesized that the late depressor phase of 5-HT agonists in rats is mediated by activation of peripheral (vascular) 5-HT receptors which have similarities with the 5-HT_1A subtype of central 5-HT₁ recognition site.     

5-HT3 receptor antagonism by anpirtoline, a mixed 5-HT1 receptor agonist/5-HT3 receptor antagonist.

1. The aim of this study was to provide evidence that anpirtoline, which is an agonist at 5-HT1B and 5-HT1D receptors and also displays submicromolar affinity for 5-HT1A recognition sites, in addition, acts as an antagonist at 5-HT3 receptors. 2. In radioligand binding studies on rat brain cortical membranes, anpirtoline inhibited specific binding of [3H]-(S)-zacopride to 5-HT3 receptor recognition sites (pKi: 7.53). 3. In N1E-115 neuroblastoma cells in which [14C]-guanidinium was used as a tool to measure cation influx through the 5-HT3 receptor channel, the 5-HT-induced influx was concentration-dependently inhibited by anpirtoline. In this respect, anpirtoline mimicked other 5-HT3 receptor antagonists; the rank order of potency was ondansetron > anpirtoline > metoclopramide. 4. The concentration-response curve for 5-HT as a stimulator of [14C]-guanidinium influx was shifted to the right by anpirtoline (apparent pA2: 7.78). 5. In urethane-anaesthetized rats, anpirtoline inhibited (at lower potency than zacopride and tropisetron) the 5-HT- or phenylbiguanide-induced bradycardia (Bezold-Jarisch reflex), but did not induce this reflex by itself. 6. Intravenous infusion of cisplatin in the domestic pig caused a consistent emetic response which was antagonized by anpirtoline. 7. It is concluded that anpirtoline, which was previously characterized as a 5-HT1 receptor agonist also proved to be a 5-HT3 receptor antagonist in several experimental models and, hence, exhibits a unique pattern of properties at different 5-HT receptors.     

Beta-adrenoceptor blockade in rats enhances the ambulation induced by 5-HT1A receptor agonists

The mixed beta-adrenoceptor and 5-HT1A receptor antagonists, (-)-pindolol and propranolol, enhance rather than inhibit the hyperlocomotion induced in rats by the 5-HT1A receptor agonist, 8-OH-DPAT. The mechanism of this effect was now investigated. The rats were pretreated with the beta-adrenoceptor antagonist or saline and with the agonist 45 min later. Ambulation was quantified as the number of quadrants entered during a 15 min observation period. (-)-Pindolol, alprenolol, betaxolol, ICI 118,551 and a combination of betaxolol and ICI 118,551 (all at 1 mg/kg) significantly enhanced the locomotion induced by 8-OH-DPAT (0.24 mg/kg). Timolol (1 and 10 mg/kg) given 45 min before 8-OH-DPAT was inactive; however, given at 10 mg/kg 15 min prior to 8-OH-DPAT, the compound enhanced locomotion. (-)-Pindolol (1 mg/kg) also enhanced the locomotion induced by the putative selective 5-HT1A receptor partial agonists, flesinoxan and ipsapirone, but not that induced by 5-OH-DPAT, a DA2 receptor agonist. These results suggest that beta 1- or beta 2-adrenoceptor antagonism can enhance the locomotion induced by 5-HT1A receptor agonists. In the case of mixed 5-HT1A and beta-adrenoceptor antagonists, the beta-adrenoceptor-mediated effect may mask the inhibition of locomotion expected from 5-HT1A receptor antagonism.     

5-HT1A receptor blockade reverses GABAA receptor α3 subunit-mediated anxiolytic effects on stress-induced hyperthermia

Rationale  

Stress-related disorders are associated with dysfunction of both serotonergic and GABAergic pathways, and clinically effective anxiolytics act via both neurotransmitter systems. As there is evidence that the GABA_A and the serotonin receptor system interact, a serotonergic component in the anxiolytic actions of benzodiazepines could be present.     

5-HT3 receptor binding sites are on capsaicin-sensitive fibres in the rat spinal cord

Specific binding sites for [3H]zacopride were found in the dorsal part of the rat spinal cord, particularly in the superficial layers of the dorsal horn. These binding sites had the same pharmacological profile as 5-HT3 receptors in membranes from the rat entorhinal cortex or from NG 108-15 neuroblastoma-glioma cells. Administration of capsaicin (50 mg/kg s.c.) to neonatal rats to induce degeneration of unmyelinated primary sensory fibres resulted in a significant decrease in [3H]zacopride specific binding (-50%) in the dorsal zone of the spinal cord of 4 month-old rats. This decrease was as pronounced as the decrease in [3H]bremazocine and [3H]naloxone binding to opiate receptors. These data support the presynaptic location of 5-HT3 receptors, at least in part, on capsaicin-sensitive primary afferent fibres in the rat spinal cord.     

Chronic administration of buspirone down-regulates 5-HT2 receptor binding sites

Buspirone (BuSpar®), a clinically effective anxiolytic, has been found in clinical trials to produce effects which suggest antidepressant efficacy. As antidepressants down-regulate type 2 serotonin (5-HT₂) receptors when given chronically to laboratory animals, we investigated whether buspirone would have similar effects; the possibility that chronic buspirone administration would affect β-adrenergic, D-2 dopaminergic, and γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) receptor binding was also investigated. When chronically administered in a regimen which reflected activity in an animal model of anxiety, buspirone produced significant decreases in in vitro 5-HT₂ and β-adrenergic receptor binding but was without effect on D-2 dopaminergic of GABAergic binding. Ligand saturation experiments revealed that the decrease in 5-HT₂ binding was due to a decrease in the maximal concentration of binding sites. These data demonstrate that chronic administration of buspirone to animals produces effects which suggest the potential for antidepressant efficacy in clinical use.     

Brain 5-HT1 binding sites in depressed suicides

5-HT₁ and 5-HT_1A binding sites were measured in brain tissue obtained at postmortem from 19 suicides, with definite evidence of depression, and 19 sex and age-matched controls. Thirteen of the depressed suicides had not been prescribed psychoactive drugs recently (drug-free suicides); six had been receiving antidepressant drugs, alone or in combination with other drugs (antidepressant-treated suicides). No significant differences were found in the number or affinity of 5-HT₁ and 5-HT_1A binding sites in frontal or temporal cortex between drug-free suicides and controls. The number of 5-HT₁ sites was significantly lower (by 20%), affinity unaltered, in hippocampus and the affinity significantly lower (by 33%), number unaltered, in amygdala of drug-free suicides than controls. The number of 5-HT₁ binding sites tended to be higher and the affinity lower in the antidepressant-treated compared to drug-free suicides, and significantly so in hippocampus. The present results, together with our previous studies, provide no evidence of altered cortical 5-HT markers in depressed suicides, but further emphasise abnormalities in the hippocampus.     

Dual activation by lisuride of central serotonin 5-HT(1A) and dopamine D(2) receptor sites: drug discrimination and receptor binding studies

To investigate central serotonergic (5-HT) and dopaminergic (DA) actions of lisuride, the discriminative properties of lisuride (0.05mg/kg, i.p.) in rats were investigated, in addition to the radioligand binding of the compound to 5-HT and DA receptor subtypes. Lisuride was found to possess high affinities for 5-HT(1A) receptor sites (Ki=0.5nM) and D(2) receptor sites (Ki=2.0nM). The autoradiographic binding pattern of 4nM [(3)H]lisuride in rat brain showed high densities of sites displaceable by the 5-HT(1A) agonist 8-OH-DPAT in hippocampus, lateral septal nucleus and amygdala, as well as those displaceable by the D(2) antagonist sulpiride in striatum, nucleus accumbens and olfactory tubercle. In drug discrimination tests, the mixed, D(1)/D(2) agonist apomorphine, the partial D(2) receptor agonists (-)-3-PPP and terguride and the 5-HT(1A) agonist 8-OH-DPAT substituted for lisuride. The D(1) agonist SKF38393, the D(1) antagonist SCH23390, the D(2) antagonist sulpiride, the 5HT(1B) agonist m-CPP and the 5-HT(2) agonist DOI were not generalized to the lisuride cue. In antagonism tests, the D(2) antagonist haloperidol and the 5-HT antagonist methysergide both induced partial but significant antagonism to the lisuride cue, but the D(1) antagonist SCH23390 did not. These results indicate that discriminative stimulus properties of lisuride are mediated by the dual activation of 5-HT(1A) and D(2) receptor sites in brain.     

Modified 5-HT3A receptor function by co-expression of alternatively spliced human 5-HT3A receptor isoforms

Serotonin (5-HT) exerts fast excitatory responses by activation of 5-HT3 receptors, irrespective of whether they are homomerically composed of 5-HT3A subunits or heteromerically assembled of 5-HT3A and 5-HT3B subunits. Here we describe a short, truncated (h5-HT3AT) and a long (h5-HT3AL) splice variant of the human 5-HT3A (hS-HT3A) receptor subunit. The deduced protein of the short isoform consists of 238 amino acids (aa) with a single transmembrane domain (M1). Compared to the known 5-HT3A receptor, the long isoform contains 32 additional aa in the extracellular loop between M2 and M3. Both splice variants are co-expressed together with the 5-HT3A subunit in the amygdala and hippocampus, whereas in the placenta only the short variant is co-expressed. Both splice variants, when expressed in transfected human embryonic kidney (HEK) 293 cells, are not able to form functional homomeric receptors, but modify 5-HT response at heteromeric h5-HT3A receptors. Co-expression of the short variant considerably decelerates the desensitization of the 5-HT3 receptor; thus, heteromeric assemblies of h5-HT3A and the h5-HT3AT subunit exhibit 5-HT-induced cation fluxes which are much larger than those of homomeric hS-HT3A receptors. In contrast, heteromeric complexes containing the h5-HT3AL subunit display reduced cation fluxes. In conclusion, the splice variants increase the functional diversity of 5-HT3 receptors.     

[3H]sumatriptan labels both 5-HT1D and 5-HT1F receptor binding sites in the guinea pig brain: an autoradiographic study

We have used in vitro autoradiography to visualize [³H]sumatriptan binding sites in sections of guinea-pig and rat brain. In saturation studies, this ligand recognized a single saturable population of high affinity binding sites in all regions examined (pK_D = 8.3–9.3). While 5-HT and the sumatriptan derivative CP-122,288 (5-methyl-aminosulfonylmethyl-3-(N-methylpyrrolidin-2R-yl-methyl)-1H-indole) competed for [³H]sumatriptan binding sites with a high affinity and monophasic profile, displacement experiments with 5-carboxamidotryptamine revealed the existence of 2 classes of binding sites. The high affinity component (pKD = 9.2–9.9) probably corresponded to 5-HT_1B (rat) or 5-HT_1D (guinea-pig) receptors. The intermediate affinity (pK_D = 5.7–7.3) of the other component, taken together with their high affinity for [³H]sumatriptan, was similar to that of the cloned 5-HT_1F receptor. The regional distribution of the 5-HT_1B/1D [³H]sumatriptan binding sites was in agreement with previously published studies (striatonigral system, hypothalamus, central gray, superficial layer of the superior colliculus) and corresponded to the pattern of serotonin-5-O-carboxymethyl-glycyl [¹²⁵I]tyrosinamide labeling in consecutive sections. [³H]sumatriptan binding sites with a low affinity for 5-CT predominated in the intermediate neocortical layers, the claustrum (in the guinea-pig only), the mammillary nuclei, most of the thalamic nuclei and the principal oculomotor nucleus (in the guinea-pig only). This distribution is very similar to that of 5-HT_1F mRNA, indicating further the identity of these sites with 5-HT_1F receptors. Very high densities of 5-HT_1F sites were also found in the rat parafascicular nucleus.Some regions, such as the caudate/nucleus, the lateral geniculate nuclei and the spinal trigeminal nucleus appeared to contain both 5-HT_1B/1D and 5-HT_1F binding sites. Ketanserin had a low affinity for [³H]sumatriptan binding sites in all guinea-pig brain regions, compatible with the presence of the 5-HT_1D\ subtype. An exception was the substantia nigra, where a significant proportion of sites displayed an intermediate affinity for this compound, suggesting the presence of 5-HT_1D receptors. [³H]5-HT labeled 5-HT_1F sites in the claustrum and intermediate cortical layers in the guinea-pig. However these data show that [³H]sumatriptan, in the presence of 10 nM 5-carboxamidotryptamine, is a more suitable radioligand to study the distribution of 5-HT_1F binding sites.     

Enhancement of 5-HT1B and 5-HT1D receptor antagonist effects on extracellular 5-HT levels in the guinea-pig brain following concurrent 5-HT1A or 5-HT re-uptake site blockade.

The effects of selective serotonin re-uptake inhibitor (SSRI), paroxetine, and 5-HT1A, 5-HT1B and 5-HT1B/1D receptor antagonists on in vivo extracellular 5-HT levels in the guinea-pig frontal cortex and dorsal hippocampus were investigated using the technique of microdialysis. The aim of the study was to further investigate the autoreceptor roles of the 5-HT1A, 5-HT1B and 5-HT1D receptors in the median vs dorsal raphe nuclei. In the frontal cortex, 5-HT1A (WAY 100635, 1 mg/kg i.p.) or 5-HT1B (SB-224289, 4 mg/kg i.p.) receptor antagonists had no effect on extracellular levels of 5-HT, whilst the mixed 5-HT1B/1D receptor antagonist (GR 127935, 0.3 mg/kg i.p) produced a significant decrease in extracellular 5-HT levels. Paroxetine (10 microM) significantly increased extracellular 5-HT levels when perfused locally into the cortex. Administration of SB-224289, followed 120 min later by WAY 100635, had no effect on extracellular 5-HT levels. In contrast, sequential administration of either WAY 100635 and GR 127935, or SB-224289 and paroxetine significantly increased extracellular 5-HT levels. In the dorsal hippocampus, whilst 5-HT1A receptor antagonism elicited by administration of WAY 100635 had no effect, both 5-HT1B and mixed 5-HT1B/1D receptor blockade significantly increased extracellular 5-HT levels. Administration of SB-224289 followed 120 min later with WAY 100635, or WAY 100635 followed 30 min later with GR 127935, potentiated the effect of the three compounds alone, significantly increasing extracellular 5-HT levels. These data demonstrate that to simultaneously increase extracellular 5-HT in both frontal cortex and dorsal hippocampus of the guinea-pig brain concurrent 5-HTA1A, 5-HT1B and 5-HT1D receptor blockade is required. Whereas in the dorsal hippocampus, 5-HT1B receptor blockade is sufficient to elicit an increase in extracellular 5-HT levels.     

Characterisation of the 5-HT receptor binding profile of eletriptan and kinetics of [3H]eletriptan binding at human 5-HT1B and 5-HT1D receptors

The affinity of eletriptan ((R)-3-(1-methyl-2-pyrrolidinylmethyl)-5-[2-(phenylsulphonyl )ethyl]-1H-indole) for a range of 5-HT receptors was compared to values obtained for other 5-HT1B/1D receptor agonists known to be effective in the treatment of migraine. Eletriptan, like sumatriptan, zolmitriptan, naratriptan and rizatriptan had highest affinity for the human 5-HT1B, 5-HT1D and putative 5-ht1f receptor. Kinetic studies comparing the binding of [3H]eletriptan and [3H]sumatriptan to the human recombinant 5-HT1B and 5-HT1D receptors expressed in HeLa cells revealed that both radioligands bound with high specificity (>90%) and reached equilibrium within 10-15 min. However, [3H]eletriptan had over 6-fold higher affinity than [3H]sumatriptan at the 5-HT1D receptor (K(D)): 0.92 and 6.58 nM, respectively) and over 3-fold higher affinity than [3H]sumatriptan at the 5-HT1B receptor (K(D): 3.14 and 11.07 nM, respectively). Association and dissociation rates for both radioligands could only be accurately determined at the 5-HT1D receptor and then only at 4 degrees C. At this temperature, [3H]eletriptan had a significantly (P<0.05) faster association rate (K(on) 0.249 min(-1) nM(-1)) than [3H]sumatriptan (K(on) 0.024 min(-1) nM(-1)) and a significantly (P<0.05) slower off-rate (K(off) 0.027 min(-1) compared to 0.037 min(-1) for [3H]sumatriptan). These data indicate that eletriptan is a potent ligand at the human 5-HT1B, 5-HT1D, and 5-ht1f receptors and are consistent with its potent vasoconstrictor activity and use as a drug for the acute treatment of migraine headache.     

The distribution of 5-HT1D and 5-HT1E binding sites in human brain.

Total 5-HT1, 5-HT1D and 5-HT1E binding sites were measured in homogenates of human frontal cortex, hippocampus, amygdala, globus pallidus, caudate and putamen. Combined 5-HT1D/1E sites were the predominant 5-HT1 subtype (66-95% of total 5-HT1 sites in all regions except hippocampus (38% of total 5-HT1 sites). Globus pallidus contained the highest density and the highest proportion of 5HT1D sites (74% of total 5-HT1 sites). 5HT1D sites in the other brain areas accounted for 19-27% of the total 5-HT1 sites. The highest densities and the highest proportions of 5-HT1E sites were in caudate (72%) and putamen (64%) and the lowest density and lowest proportion in hippocampus (16%).