β-Adrenergic, but not benzodiazepine, binding sites are reduced in dystrophic mouse brain

We have examined brain tissue from dystrophic mice (male 129/ReJ-dy and female 129 B6F₁/J-dy) to determine whether CNS lesions may accompany the known muscular defects. In all brain regions examined we found a significant reduction in the numbers of β-adrenergic binding sites when compared to brain from control mice. In contrast, the number of benzodiazepine binding sites appeared normal. These changes in adrenergic sites may be related to the known abnormally high excretion of catecholamines. Our results also emphasise the need to study extra-muscular sites in this disease.