AGE-RELATED-CHANGES IN PERIPHERAL BENZODIAZEPINE RECEPTORS OF HUMAN PLATELETS

Using H-3-PK 11195 as radioligand, the number and affinity of peripher al benzodiazepine receptors in platelets of 15 elderly healthy subject s were compared to those of 15 young subjects. The results showed that the dissociation constant (K(d)) was significantly higher in the elde rly than in the young subjects, while the density of binding sites did not differ. These findings suggest that the age-related changes in pe ripheral benzodiazepine receptors may be coupled with secondary change s in their hypothesized functions.