5-HT1B receptor binding in degenerative movement disorders

Using [³H]sumatriptan as a radioligand, 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT)_1B receptors were examined in posterior striatum and midbrain post-mortem tissue sections of 12 patients who had died from representative degenerative movement disorders as compared to nine controls. In the control human basal ganglia, the highest densities of [³H]sumatriptan binding were observed in the globus pallidus and substantia nigra. No significant change in the density of [³H]sumatriptan binding sites was found in the striatum and substantia nigra of the six Parkinson's disease brains. In the two brains from patients with progressive supranuclear palsy an increase was found in the densities of [³H]sumatriptan binding sites, most marked in the substantia nigra. In contrast, [³H]sumatriptan labelling was almost absent in the striatonigral degeneration brain and was markedly reduced in the three Huntington's disease brains. This study indicates that the status of 5-HT_1B receptors is different in each degenerative movement disorder and suggests that human 5-HT_1B receptors are located somatodendritically on GABAergic and peptidergic caudate-putamen neurons which project to the substantia nigra and globus pallidus, where these receptors are presynaptic.     

Immunocytochemical studies of substance P and Met-enkephalin in the basal ganglia and substantia nigra in Huntington's, Parkinson's and Alzheimer's diseases

Immunocytochemical studies of the distribution and intensity of Substance P and Met-enkephalin staining in the basal ganglia and substantia nigra were carried out in five cases each of brains from patients with Huntington's disease, Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease, and normal controls. The usefulness of the peroxidase-antiperoxidase method for human autopsy material was confirmed. Substance P and Met-enkephalin fibers were distributed in essentially the same pattern as described in experimental animals and in human brains. In Huntington's disease brains decreased Substance P staining was found in the internal globus pallidus and the substantia nigra, in agreement with radioimmunoassay studies by others. Met-enkephalin staining in the external globus pallidus was of normal intensity, although present within a shrunken area. In Parkinson's and Alzheimer's diseases there was intense immunoreactivity for Substance P in the globus pallidus and substantia nigra, and for Met-enkephalin in the globus pallidus, at variance with reported decreases in Parkinson's disease by radioimmunoassay, but in essential agreement with other immunocytochemical studies. Immunocytochemical methods complement radioimmunoassays of human brain and may help in mapping neuropeptidergic pathways and in pinpointing abnormalities in these pathways in basal ganglia disorders.     

[H]Ro5-4864 benzodiazepine binding in the kainate lesioned striatum and Huntington's diseased basal ganglia

[³H]Ro5-4864-labeled peripheral-type benzodiazepine binding sites in the brain were studied after kainic acid lesions of the rat striatum. Following intrastrial kainate injections [³H]Ro5-4864 binding increased to approximately 1000% of control over a period of 1 week and was maintained at this level for up to 6 weeks. Two weeks after lesioning the number of binding sites (B_max) was selectively increased while the dissociation constant (K_d) was only minimally affected. [³H]Ro5-4864 binding in the Huntington's diseased (HD) basal ganglia was not changed as compared to non-neurological control in the caudate nucleus and globus pallidus. A highly significant 51% increase was found in the HD putamen. It is concluded that the peripheral-type, Ro5-4864-sensitive benzodiazepine receptor in the brain may be predominantly localized on glial elements.     

Mapping of serotonin 5-HT(4) receptor mRNA and ligand binding sites in the post-mortem human brain

The anatomical localization of 5-HT(4) receptor mRNA and 5-HT(4) receptor protein was examined in sections of post-mortem human brain by in situ hybridization histochemistry and radioligand receptor autoradiography. In the in situ hybridization study, the highest levels of 5-HT(4) receptor mRNA were found in caudate nucleus, putamen, nucleus accumbens, and in the hippocampal formation. No 5-HT(4) receptor mRNA was detected in globus pallidus and substantia nigra. For receptor autoradiography, two new and highly selective radioligands were compared: [(3)H]prucalopride, which preferentially labels the G-protein coupled fraction of receptors, and [(3)H]R116712, which labels the entire receptor population at subnanomolar concentrations. [(3)H]Prucalopride and [(3)H]R116712 binding was performed on human brain hemisphere sections. The highest densities for both radioligands were found in the basal ganglia (caudate nucleus, putamen, nucleus accumbens, globus pallidus, substantia nigra). Moderate to low densities were detected in the hippocampal formation and in the cortical mantle. Mismatches between 5-HT(4) receptor mRNA and binding sites in the globus pallidus and the substantia nigra suggested that the binding sites may be localized on axonal projections originating from the striatum. To compare densities of binding sites, concentration binding curves with [(3)H]prucalopride, [(3)H]R116712 and [(3)H]GR113808 were performed on membranes from homogenates of several human brain regions. Comparison of B(max)-values obtained with [(3)H]prucalopride and [(3)H]R116712 indicated that the G-protein coupled fraction of 5-HT(4) receptors in the substantia nigra was exceptionally high (54%) in comparison with percentages (16-27%) found in the frontal cortex, the striatum and the hippocampus. Such a high percentage (40%) of [(3)H]prucalopride vs. [(3)H]R116712 binding was also observed in the substantia nigra in the receptor autoradiography experiments. The [(3)H]prucalopride binding was GppNHp-sensitive, whereas [(3)H]R116712 and [(3)H]GR113808 was not. These data indicate that in the substantia nigra 5-HT(4) receptors are more strongly coupled to their signal transduction pathway than in other brain regions.     

Subchronic haloperidol increases CB(1) receptor binding and G protein coupling in discrete regions of the basal ganglia

The present study was designed to test whether chronic neuroleptic treatment, which is known to alter both expression and density of dopamine D(2) receptors in striatal regions, has effects upon function and binding level of the cannabinoid CB(1) receptor in the basal ganglia by using receptor autoradiography. As predicted, subchronic haloperidol treatment resulted in increased binding of (3)H-raclopride and quinpirole-induced guanosine 5'-O-(gamma-[(35)S]thio)triphosphate ([(35)S]GTPgammaS) in the striatum when compared to that measured in control animals. This increased D(2) receptor binding and function after 3 days washout was normalized after a 2-week washout period. Effect of haloperidol treatment was studied for CB(1) receptor binding and CP55,940-stimulated [(35)S]GTPgammaS in the striatum, globus pallidus, and substantia nigra. (3)[H]CP55,940 binding levels were found in rank order from highest to lowest in substantia nigra > globus pallidus > striatum. Furthermore, subchronic haloperidol treatment resulted in elevated binding levels of (3)[H]CP55,940 in the striatum and the substantia nigra and CB(1) receptor-stimulated [(35)S]GTPgammaS bindings in the substantia nigra after 3 days washout. These increased binding levels were normalized at 1-4 weeks after termination of haloperidol treatment. Haloperidol treatment had no significant effect on CB(1) receptor or [(35)S]GTPgammaS binding levels in globus pallidus. The results help to elucidate the underlying biochemical mechanism of CB(1) receptor supersensitivity after haloperidol treatment.     

Three histamine receptors (H1, H2 and H3) visualized in the brain of human and non-human primates

The distribution of histamine H1, H2 and H3 receptors in postmortem human and rhesus monkey brain was examined using receptor autoradiography. [125I]Iodobolpyramine, [125I]iodoaminopotentine and [3H](R) alpha-methylhistamine were used as ligands to label H1, H2 and H3 receptors respectively. The 3 receptor subtypes were identified in the human and monkey brains. Each receptor presented comparable distribution in the two primate brains. H1 and H2 receptors were particularly enriched in the caudate and putamen and observed in other brain areas such as the neocortex and hippocampus. H3-receptors were found to predominate in the basal ganglia where the highest densities were localized in the two segments of the globus pallidus. They were also observed in the hippocampus and cortical areas. The distribution of these 3 histamine receptors in the primate brain suggests the involvement of histaminergic mechanism in the functions of many brain areas. In particular, H2 and H3 receptors could play a role in the regulation of the basal ganglia functions in primates.     

Neurotransmitter receptor alterations in Huntington's disease: autoradiographic and homogenate studies with special reference to benzodiazepine receptor complexes

In vitro receptor autoradiography was used to construct semiquantitative maps of subtypes of muscarinic cholinergic (labeled with [3H]N-methylscopolamine), benzodiazepine ([3H]flunitrazepam), gamma-aminobutyric acid ([3H]muscimol), dopamine, and serotonin ([3H]spiperone) receptors in frontal cortex, parietal cortex, caudate, putamen, and globus pallidus in tissue sections from 5 patients with clinically well-evaluated Huntington's disease and 5 controls matched with respect to age, sex, and postmortem delay. Homogenates were prepared from the remaining cortical and striatal tissue and used to characterize pharmacologically these same receptors, as well as histamine, adenosine, and nitrendipine receptors. Neuronal loss and gliosis were assessed in the contralateral formalin-fixed caudate and putamen. All binding sites measured (except serotonin) were reduced relative to control values in striatum primarily because of changes in the number of receptors rather than in affinity. Autoradiographic studies generally revealed that these changes were greater in the caudate than the putamen, paralleling the more severe neuropathological changes present in the caudate. In addition, autoradiographic studies demonstrated an increase in gamma-aminobutyric acid-related receptors in the globus pallidus. In the cortex, receptor alterations were limited to an increase in the number of benzodiazepine receptors in the frontal cortex which was most prominent in superficial cortical layers.     

5-HT2C receptor binding is increased in the substantia nigra pars reticulata in Parkinson's disease.

The involvement of abnormalities in nondopaminergic transmitter systems in Parkinson's disease is noteworthy because of the complications, such as dyskinesia, associated with long-term dopamine replacement therapy. The output regions of the basal ganglia, the substantia nigra pars reticulata, and the medial segment of the globus pallidus are overactive in Parkinson's disease but underactive in dyskinesia. 5-HT2C receptors are localized in these regions and are excitatory. A 5-HT2C receptor binding assay using [3H]-mesulergine and SB 200646A to define nonspecific binding was applied to postmortem tissue from patients with Parkinson's disease and from age-matched control patients. [3H]-mesulergine binding was increased in the substantia nigra pars reticulata by 108% in Parkinson's disease tissue as compared with control tissue. These data suggest abnormalities of 5-HT2C transmission in the basal ganglia of patients with Parkinson's disease.     

Distribution and modulation of histamine H(3) receptors in basal ganglia and frontal cortex of healthy controls and patients with Parkinson's disease

Parkinson's disease (PD) is a brain degenerative disorder with unknown etiology, and specific degeneration of mesencephalic dopaminergic cells is a morphological manifestation of the disease. The central histaminergic system appears to be activated in PD, since the histaminergic innervation is increased in the substantia nigra. The aim of the present study was to investigate the expression and function of histamine H(3) receptors in PD, using receptor mRNA in situ hybridization with oligonucleotide probes, receptor binding assay with a specific radioactive agonist, and GTP-gamma-[(35)S]-binding assay as a tool to study the activation of the receptor G-protein. H(3) receptor binding sites were detected using N-alpha-methylhistamine autoradiography in the basal ganglia and cortex, being most abundant in the substantia nigra and striatum. In PD substantia nigra we detected an increase of the receptor binding density. In situ hybridization study of the receptor mRNA revealed prominent sites of H(3) receptor synthesis in the putamen, cortex, and globus pallidus, whereas very low mRNA expression was seen in the substantia nigra. In the PD pallidum externum, H(3) receptor mRNA expression was elevated as compared with the normal brains. GTP-gamma-[(35)S]-binding assay did not reveal any significant difference between PD and normal brains, although the density values in PD substantia nigra tended to be lower than in the normal brain, and density values in PD striatum were higher. The dopaminergic neurons did not express significant amount of H(3) receptor mRNA, suggesting that the effects of H(3) receptor-mediated modulation of dopamine release are indirect. Our data indicates modulation of the histamine H(3) receptor in PD at the level of the mRNA expression in the striatum and receptor density in the substantia nigra. The receptor activity seems to be unchanged or decreased, as revealed by GTP-gamma-[(35)S]-binding assay. Modulation of the histamine H(3) receptor may influence the activity of other neurotransmitter systems, e.g., the GABAergic one, in the substantia nigra.     

Ciproxifan,a histamine H3-receptor antagonist/inverse agonist,modulates the effects of methamphetamine on neuropeptide mRNA expression in rat striatum

We have explored the effect of histamine H3-receptor ligands on the regulation of neuropeptide mRNA expression in the striatum by using in situ hybridization performed with proenkephalin, prodynorphin, substance P and proneurotensin riboprobes. Acute administration of ciproxifan, an H3-receptor antagonist/inverse agonist, or (R)-alpha-methylhistamine, an H3-receptor agonist, did not modify the striatal expression of the neuropeptides by itself. However, ciproxifan strongly and differentially modulated the effect of a single administration of 3 mg/kg methamphetamine on neuropeptide mRNA expression. This modulation was suppressed by the administration of (R)-alpha-methylhistamine and occurred in both the caudate-putamen and nucleus accumbens. Ciproxifan strongly potentiated the decrease of proenkephalin mRNA expression induced by methamphetamine. In contrast, it suppressed the increase in prodynorphin and substance P mRNA expression induced by methamphetamine. Methamphetamine alone or with ciproxifan did not modify proneurotensin mRNA expression. These neurochemical findings indicate that ciproxifan differentially regulates the effect of methamphetamine on the neuropeptides contained in striatonigral and striatopallidal neurons. They suggest that endogenous histamine and dopamine cooperate to modulate the activity of striatal projection neurons and strengthen the interest of H3-receptors as new targets for the treatment of psychotic disorders and drug abuse.     

Atlas of the Striatum and Globus Pallidus in the Tree Shrew: Comparison with Rat and Mouse

The striatum and globus pallidus are principal nuclei of the basal ganglia. Nissl-and acetylcholinesterasestained sections of the tree shrew brain showed the neuroanatomical features of the caudate nucleus(Cd),internal capsule(ic), putamen(Pu), accumbens, internal globus pallidus, and external globus pallidus. The ic separated the dorsal striatum into the Cd and Pu in the tree shrew, but not in rats and mice. In addition, computerbased 3 D images allowed a better understanding of the position and orientation of these structures. These data provided a large-scale atlas of the striatum and globus pallidus in the coronal, sagittal, and horizontal planes, the first detailed distribution of parvalbumin-immunoreactive cells in the tree shrew, and the differences in morphological characteristics and density of parvalbumin-immunoreactive neurons between tree shrew and rat. Our findings support the tree shrew as a potential model for human striatal disorders.     

Inverse agonist histamine H3 receptor PET tracers labelled with carbon‐11 or fluorine‐18

Two histamine H3 receptor (H3R) inverse agonist PET tracers have been synthesized and characterized in preclinical studies. Each tracer has high affinity for the histamine H3 receptor, has suitable lipophilicity, and neither is a substrate for the P‐glycoprotein efflux pump. A common phenolic precursor was used to synthesize each tracer with high specific activity and radiochemical purity by an alkylation reaction using either [¹¹C]MeI or [¹⁸F]FCD₂Br. Autoradiographic studies in rhesus monkey and human brain slices showed that each tracer had a widespread distribution with high binding densities in frontal cortex, globus pallidus and striatum, and lower uptake in cerebellum. The specificity of this expression pattern was demonstrated by the blockade of the autoradiographic signal by either the H3R agonist R‐α‐methylhistamine or a histamine H3R inverse agonist. In vivo PET imaging studies in rhesus monkey showed rapid uptake of each tracer into the brain with the same distribution seen in the autoradiographic studies. Each tracer could be blocked by pretreatment with a histamine H3R inverse agonist giving a good specific signal. Comparison of the in vitro metabolism of each compound showed slower metabolism in human liver microsomes than in rhesus monkey liver microsomes, with each compound having a similar clearance rate in humans. The in vivo metabolism of 1b in rhesus monkey showed that at 60 min, ～35% of the circulating counts were due to the parent. These tracers are very promising candidates as clinical PET tracers to both study the histamine H3R system and measure receptor occupancy of H3R therapeutic compounds. Synapse 63:1122–1132, 2009. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.     

Ultrastructural morphology of projections from the medial geniculate nucleus and its adjacent region to the basal ganglia.

The efferent projections of the medial geniculate nucleus (MG) and its adjacent nuclei to the basal ganglia were studied in the rat by the antero- and retrograde tracing methods. Injections of wheat germ agglutinin conjugated to horseradish peroxidase into the caudal parts of the striatum and globus pallidus produced retrograde neuronal labeling in the medial division of the MG (MGm) and its adjacent structures including the suprageniculate, posterior intralaminar and peripeduncular nuclei, and substantia nigra pars lateralis. Injections of [3H]leucine into the MG and its surroundings resulted in anterograde labeling not only in the striatum but also in the globus pallidus. The resulting labeling was distributed exclusively in the caudal parts of these two nuclei. The electron microscopic autoradiography showed preferential radiolabeling of terminals and myelinated axons in both the globus pallidus and striatum. Labeled terminals in the pallidum mostly made symmetrical synapses on somata and major dendrites, while labeled terminals in the striatum established asymmetrical synapses on dendritic spines. These morphological differences in the synapses of the efferent systems originating from the MGm and its surrounding region suggest functional/chemical differentiations at their target sites in the basal ganglia.     

Brain region binding of the D2/3 agonist [11C]-(+)-PHNO and the D2/3 antagonist [11C]raclopride in healthy humans

The D(2) receptors exist in either the high- or low-affinity state with respect to agonists, and while agonists bind preferentially to the high-affinity state, antagonists do not distinguish between the two states. [(11)C]-(+)-PHNO is a PET D(2) agonist radioligand and therefore provides a preferential measure of the D(2) (high) receptors. In contrast, [(11)C]raclopride is an antagonist radioligand and thus binds with equal affinity to the D(2) high- and low-affinity states. The aim was to compare the brain uptake, distribution and binding characteristics between [(11)C]-(+)-PHNO and [(11)C]raclopride in volunteers using a within-subject design. Both radioligands accumulated in brain areas rich in D(2)/D(3)-receptors. However, [(11)C]-(+)-PHNO showed preferential uptake in the ventral striatum and globus pallidus, while [(11)C]raclopride showed preferential uptake in the dorsal striatum. Mean binding potentials were higher in the putamen (4.3 vs. 2.8) and caudate (3.4 vs 2.1) for [(11)C]raclopride, equal in the ventral-striatum (3.4 vs. 3.3), and higher in the globus pallidus for [(11)C]-(+)-PHNO (1.8 vs. 3.3). Moreover [(11)C]-(+)-PHNO kinetics in the globus pallidus showed a slower washout than other regions. One explanation for the preferential binding of [(11)C]-(+)-PHNO in the globus pallidus and ventral-striatum could be the presence of a greater proportion of high- vs. low-affinity receptors in these areas. Alternatively, the observed distribution could also be explained by a preferential binding of D(3)-over-D(2) with [(11)C]-(+)-PHNO. This differential binding of agonist vs. antagonist radioligand, especially in the critically important region of the limbic striatum/pallidum, offers new avenues to investigate the role of the dopamine system in health and disease.     

3H]Ro5-4864 benzodiazepine binding in the kainate lesioned striatum and Huntington's diseased basal ganglia

[³H]Ro5-4864-labeled peripheral-type benzodiazepine binding sites in the brain were studied after kainic acid lesions of the rat striatum. Following intrastrial kainate injections [³H]Ro5-4864 binding increased to approximately 1000% of control over a period of 1 week and was maintained at this level for up to 6 weeks. Two weeks after lesioning the number of binding sites (B_max) was selectively increased while the dissociation constant (K_d) was only minimally affected. [³H]Ro5-4864 binding in the Huntington's diseased (HD) basal ganglia was not changed as compared to non-neurological control in the caudate nucleus and globus pallidus. A highly significant 51% increase was found in the HD putamen. It is concluded that the peripheral-type, Ro5-4864-sensitive benzodiazepine receptor in the brain may be predominantly localized on glial elements.     

Studies on neurotransmitter markers and striatal neuronal cell density in Huntington's disease and dentatorubropallidoluysian atrophy

Neurotransmitter abnormalities in the basal ganglia of individual "choreic" patients (9 cases of Huntington's disease-HD and 3 cases of dentatorubropallidoluysian atrophy-DRPLA) and 14 normal controls were investigated. Choline acetyltransferase activity in the striatum was decreased in approximately half the "choreic" patients. GABA concentration in the substantia nigra or in the globus pallidus was decreased in all "choreic" cases except one case of DRPLA. Substance P concentration was also reduced in the same nuclei as GABA except in one case of HD. These findings imply: cholinergic, GABAergic or substance P-related markers found in the basal ganglia of HD are not disease-specific but also found in the other "choreic" disorder, i.e. DRPLA; most prominent biochemical changes in HD would be a decrease of GABA in the basal ganglia. Correlation analysis of the markers in the basal ganglia and the striatal neurone densities of "choreic" patients (5 cases of HD and 3 cases of DRPLA) and 7 normal controls yielded positive correlation between GABA concentration in the substantia nigra and the globus pallidus, and the neuronal cell density in "small" cells in the striatum of normal control and HD. Positive correlation between substance P concentration and the striatal neurone density was only found in the substantia nigra. Choline acetyltransferase activity in the striatum was found to be positively correlated with the density of "large" cells in the striatum rather than that of "small" cells. In DRPLA there was no direct correlation between the values of the markers in the basal ganglia and the striatal neurone density. The decrease of transmitter markers without striatal cell loss in this particular choreic disorder could be regarded as a sequence of "biochemical degeneration" of striatal neurones. Based on these findings, the underlying mechanisms of choreic involuntary movements were briefly discussed.     

Changes of GABA receptors and dopamine turnover in the postmortem brains of parkinsonians with levodopa-induced motor complications.

Brain samples from 14 Parkinson's disease patients, 10 of whom developed motor complications (dyskinesias and/or wearing-off) on dopaminomimetic therapy, and 11 controls were analyzed. Striatal 3beta-(4-(125)I-iodophenyl)tropane-2beta-carboxylic acid isopropyl ester ([(125)I]RTI-121) -specific binding to dopamine transporter and concentration of dopamine were markedly decreased, but no association between level of denervation and development of motor complications was observed. The homovanillic acid/dopamine ratio of concentrations was higher in putamen of patients with wearing-off compared to those without. Striatal (35)S-labeled t-butylbicyclophosphorothionate ([(35)S]TBPS) and [(3)H]flunitrazepam binding to GABA(A) receptors were unchanged in patients with Parkinson's disease, whereas [(125)I]CGP 64213 -specific binding to GABA(B) receptors was decreased in the putamen and external segment of the globus pallidus of parkinsonian patients compared with controls. [(3)H]Flunitrazepam binding was increased in the putamen of patients with wearing-off compared to those without. [(35)S]TBPS-specific binding was increased in the ventral internal globus pallidus of dyskinetic subjects. These data suggest altered dopamine metabolism and increased GABA(A) receptors in the putamen related to the pathophysiology of wearing-off. The present results also suggest that an up-regulation of GABA(A) receptors in the internal globus pallidus is linked to the pathogenesis of levodopa-induced dyskinesias.     

Immunocytochemical studies of substance P and leucine-enkephalin in Huntington's disease

The distribution of substance P and leucine-enkephalin in selected regions of brain obtained postmortem from patients with Huntington's disease and from neurologically normal persons has been studied with immunocytochemical techniques. In the normal brain, substance P immunoreactivity was identified in medium-sized neurons in the neostriatum, in neurons of the external segment of the globus pallidus, and in fine fibers in teh neostriatum, inner segment of the globus pallidus, and in the pars reticulata of the substantia nigra. Huntington's disease brains all exhibited a marked decrease in substance P fiber density in the substantia nigra and globus pallidus. A few medium-sized neurons with substance P immunoreactivity remained in the neostriatal remnant. Leucine-enkephalin immunoreactive processes were present throughout the neostriatum of normal brain, and were densely packed in the external segment of the globus pallidus and in the substantia nigra. A uniform population of medium-sized neurons containing immunoreactive leucine-enkephalin was present in the caudate and putamen. By contrast, in the Huntington's disease brains there was a marked diminution of fiber staining in the globus pallidus and substantia nigra. A few medium-size neurons and sparse fibers with leucine-enkephalin immunoreactivity persisted in the atrophic neostriatum. These observations are consistent with previous reports of regional peptide concentrations in both normal and Huntington's disease brain. Cells containing substance P and leucine-enkephalin immunoreactivity persist in the basal ganglia in brains from patients with Huntington's disease, and we have no evidence that cellular content of one or the other peptide is associated with disproportionate cell death or survival.     

Excitatory amino acid receptor regulation after subthalamic nucleus lesions in the rat

The subthalamic nucleus plays a pivotal role in the regulation of basal ganglia output. Recent electrophysiologic, lesion and immunocytochemical studies suggest that the subthalamic nucleus uses an excitatory amino acid as a neurotransmitter. After complete ablation of the subthalamic nucleus, we have examined the NMDA, AMPA, kainate and metabotropic subtypes of excitatory amino acid receptors in two major subthalamic projection areas (globus pallidus and substantia nigra pars reticulata) with quantitative autoradiography. Two weeks after ablation, binding sites for [³H]AMPA and [³H]kainate increased in substantia nigra pars reticulata ipsilateral to the lesion. In globus pallidus on the lesioned side, [³H]glutamate binding to the NMDA recognition site decreased. The results suggest that glutamate receptors regulate after interruption of subthalamic nucleus output.     

Dopamine receptors in human brain: autoradiographic distribution of D1 and D2 sites in Parkinson syndrome of different etiology

The distribution and density of dopamine D1 and D2 receptors were examined by autoradiography in postmortem brain tissue from patients with pathological diagnosis of Parkinson's disease, status lacunaris, clinical parkinsonism without neuropathological lesions and in age-matched controls. The D1 antagonist [3H]SCH 23390 and the D2 agonist [3H]CV 205-502 were used as ligands. No significant differences in the distribution or density of D1 or D2 receptors were found in Parkinson's disease in the areas examined, including the nucleus caudatus, putamen, globus pallidus and substantia nigra. In contrast, cases presenting lacunar lesions in the striatum showed marked decreases in D1 and D2 receptor densities in this region. Patients clinically diagnosed as parkinsonians but without Parkinson's disease lesions or striatal lacunar softenings showed reduced densities of D2 receptors in the nucleus caudatus and putamen, while in the substantia nigra the densities were comparable to controls. In the basal ganglia of these cases D1 receptors were slightly decreased.