Parkinson's disease: Nigral receptor changes support peptidergic role in nigrostriatal modulation

G. R. Uhl, G. O. Hackney, M. Torchia, V. Stranov, W. W. Tourtellotte, P. J. Whitehouse, V. Tran, S. Strittmatter

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

21 Scopus citations

Abstract

Autoradiographic studies reveal densities of binding to somatostatin, neurotensin, μ‐opiate, and benzodiazepine receptors in substantia nigra specimens from neurologically normal human brains. Binding to nigral angiotensin converting enzyme is also dense, whereas more modest densities of κ‐opiate, dopamine, and serotonin receptors are noted. In nigral specimens taken from patients with idiopathic Parkinson's disease, substantial reductions in somatostatin, neurotensin, μ‐opiate and κ‐opiate receptors contrast with more modest reductions in dopamine and benzodiazepine I receptor subtypes. Angiotensin converting enzyme, serotonin, and benzodiazepine II binding are virtually unaltered. These results underscore the likelihood of strong peptidergic influences on normal and pathologically altered human nigrostriatal circuitry.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)194-203
Number of pages10
JournalAnnals of Neurology
Volume20
Issue number2
DOIs
StatePublished - Aug 1986

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Neurology
  • Clinical Neurology

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Parkinson's disease: Nigral receptor changes support peptidergic role in nigrostriatal modulation'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this