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Localization of MPP+ binding sites in the brain of various mammalian species

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Journal of Neural Transmission - Parkinson's Disease and Dementia Section

Summary

The distribution and density of3H-MPP+ binding sites were studied by in vitro quantitative autoradiography in the brain of the mouse, rat and monkey. The highest levels of3H-MPP+ specific binding were observed in rat brain. The substantia nigra in rat and monkey, and the anterior caudate-putamen formation in mouse and monkey showed the lowest density of autoradiographic grains. The presence of a relatively high density of MPP+ sites in the hippocampus of all species studied could be of interest to explain some effects of MPTP administration on convulsions caused by chemoconvulsants.

The finding of a 60–70% reduction of3H-MPP+ binding sites in the rat caudate-putamen, on the side of quinolinic acid infusion and no changes after 6-hydroxydopamine lesion of dopaminergic nigrostriatal neurons suggests the presence of these sites mainly on striatal cells.

The results suggest that the distribution of MPP+ binding sites in brain would not seem to be related to MPTP toxicity.

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Del Zompo, M., Piccardi, M.P., Ruiu, S. et al. Localization of MPP+ binding sites in the brain of various mammalian species. J Neural Transm Gen Sect 4, 181–190 (1992). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02260902

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