The regionalization of [3H]dihydrotetrabenazine binding sites in the mouse brain and its relationship to the distribution of monoamines and their metabolites.

ABSTRACT

[3H]Dihydrotetrabenazine binding was measured in 8 areas of the mouse brain. In all areas, binding occurred on a homogeneous class of sites (Kd approximately equal to 2.6 nM). The density of [3H]dihydrotetrabenazine binding sites strongly varied between the different brain structures; it was compared to endogenous levels of biogenic monoamines and their metabolites the density is independent of the nature of the monoamine and of neuronal activity, but is highly correlated to the total amount of monoamines present in each structure.