D₂-type dopamine receptors in postmortem human brain sections from normal and schizophrenic subjects

The density of the presumed dopamine D₄ receptor ([³H]YM-09151-2 minus [³H]raclopride), as well as the densities of the two ligands themselves were compared in various areas of cerebral tissue from normal versus schizophrenic subjects off or on antipsychotic drugs at the time of death. Using autoradiographic techniques, and analyzing various brain areas, no differences were found in the density of the D₄ receptor, nor were differences found between the groups, in any brain region, in the amount of bound [³H]YM-09151-2 or [³H]raclopride. There were, therefore, no differences in the density of the D₂-type receptors, including the D₄ receptor, in normal and schizophrenic subjects off or on antipsychotic drugs at the time of death.