RESUMO
In vitro quantitative autoradiography of alpha(2)-adrenergic/imidazoline receptors, using [(125)I]iodoclonidine as a ligand, was performed on 24 human brains postmortem. Twelve brains were obtained from suicide victims and 12 from matched controls. We found no significant, region-dependent alterations in the density of alpha(2)-adrenergic receptors in brains of suicide victims as compared to matched controls. We also report age-dependent reductions in binding in the prefrontal cortex and hippocampus, as well as significant recent alcohol ingestion-dependent reductions in binding in the prefrontal cortex. Sex and time from death to autopsy did not affect iodoclonidine binding in our sample.
Assuntos
Encéfalo/diagnóstico por imagem , Receptores Adrenérgicos alfa 2/análise , Receptores de Droga/análise , Suicídio , Adolescente , Adulto , Fatores Etários , Idoso , Idoso de 80 Anos ou mais , Autorradiografia , Química Encefálica , Feminino , Humanos , Receptores de Imidazolinas , Masculino , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Mudanças Depois da Morte , Radiografia , Fatores Sexuais , Fatores de TempoRESUMO
In vitro quantitative autoradiography of alpha 1-noradrenergic receptors, using tritiated prazosin as a ligand, was performed on 24 human brains postmortem. Twelve brains were obtained from suicide victims and 12 from matched controls. We found significant lower binding to alpha 1 receptors in several brain regions of the suicide group as compared with matched controls. This decrease in receptor density was evident in portions of the prefrontal cortex, as well as the temporal cortex and in the caudate nucleus. Age, sex, presence of alcohol, and time of death to autopsy did not affect prazosin binding, in our sample, as measured by autoradiography.