LOSS OF STRIATAL HIGH-AFFINITY NGF BINDING-SITES IN PROGRESSIVE SUPRANUCLEAR PALSY BUT NOT IN PARKINSONS-DISEASE

I-125-Nerve growth factor (NGF) binding sites were analyzed by autorad iography in the striatum of 3 central subjects, 3 patients with Parkin son's disease and 3 patients with progressive supranuclear palsy. A hi gh level of I-125-NGF binding was observed (0.3-0.4 fmol/mg of tissue equivalent) in the striatum and the nucleus basalis of Meynert of cont rol patients. Pockets of lower I-125-NGF binding corresponding to acet ylcholinesterase-poor striosomes were detected in the striatum of cont rol subjects and patients with Parkinson's disease or progressive supr anuclear palsy. When compared to controls, the density of I-125-NGF bi nding sites was reduced by 30% in the striatum of patients with progre ssive supranuclear palsy but not reduced in that of patients with Park inson's disease. I-125-NGF binding was not significantly decreased in the nucleus basalis of Meynert in either diseases. Since NGF receptors are thought to be localized on cholinergic neurons in the striatum, t he decrease in NGF binding is compatible with the loss of cholinergic neurons reported in the striatum from PSP patients.