title: Selective loss of pallidal dopamine D2 receptor density in hepatic encephalopathy.
abstract: The binding parameters of [3H]SCH 23390 and [3H]spiperone (radioligands for dopamine D1 and D2 receptors, respectively) were investigated in autopsied frontal cortex, caudate nucleus and globus pallidus/putamen of cirrhotic patients who died in hepatic coma as well as in age- and sex-matched controls. Specific [3H]SCH 23390 binding site densities were unchanged in all regions; in contrast, specific [3H]spiperone binding site density was decreased (by 44%, P < 0.001) in the globus pallidus/putamen of patients with HE. Decreased densities of pallidal D2 binding sites could relate to the motor dysfunctions commonly encountered in human HE.
authors.affiliation: Neuroscience Research Unit, Hôpital St-Luc, University of Montreal, Que., Canada.
authors.forename: D D
authors.initials: DD
authors.lastname: Mousseau
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Perney
authors.forename: G P
authors.initials: GP
authors.lastname: Layrargues
authors.forename: R F
authors.initials: RF
authors.lastname: Butterworth
mesh_terms: D001552:Benzazepines / Q000493:pharmacokinetics; D001923:Brain Chemistry / Q000502:physiology; D005917:Globus Pallidus / Q000378:metabolism*; D006501:Hepatic Encephalopathy / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D008103:Liver Cirrhosis / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017447:Receptors, Dopamine D1 / Q000378:metabolism; D017448:Receptors, Dopamine D2 / Q000378:metabolism*; D013134:Spiperone / Q000493:pharmacokinetics
chemical_list: D001552:Benzazepines; D017447:Receptors, Dopamine D1; D017448:Receptors, Dopamine D2; D013134:Spiperone