Densities of dopamine D2 receptors are reduced in CNS regions of alcohol-preferring P rats.
The densities of dopamine D2 recognition sites labelled with [3H]sulpiride were determined in the caudate-putamen, nucleus accumbens (medial and lateral portions), olfactory tubercle, substantia nigra (pars reticulata and pars compacta), and ventral tegmental area (VTA) of alcohol-naive, selectively bred P (N = 7) and NP (N = 7) rats using quantitative autoradiography. The binding of [3H]sulpiride was 20-25% lower (P < 0.05) in the caudate-putamen, medial and lateral nucleus accumbens, and VTA of the P compared with the NP rats. No significant differences were observed between the P and NP rats in the olfactory tubercle or substantia nigra. [3H]Sulpiride binding, using standard membrane preparations, established with Scatchard analysis that the difference in the densities of D2 recognition sites in the caudate-putamen between the P and NP rats was due to lower Bmax values for the P line. The results indicate that the number of dopamine D2 receptor sites is lower in several central nervous system regions of the P rats compared to NP rats.
McBride
W J
WJ
Department of Psychiatry, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis 46202-4887.
Chernet
E
E
Dyr
W
W
Lumeng
L
L
Li
T K
TK
D000428:Alcohol Drinking / Q000235:genetics; D000818:Animals; D001921:Brain / Q000378:metabolism*; D008297:Male; D009714:Nucleus Accumbens / Q000378:metabolism; D009833:Olfactory Pathways / Q000378:metabolism; D051381:Rats; D011919:Rats, Inbred Strains; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D017448:Receptors, Dopamine D2 / Q000378:metabolism*; D013378:Substantia Nigra / Q000378:metabolism; D013469:Sulpiride / Q000378:metabolism; D013681:Tegmentum Mesencephali / Q000378:metabolism
D017448:Receptors, Dopamine D2; D013469:Sulpiride