Developmental regulation of the dopamine D-1 receptor in human caudate andputamen

Perturbations in the developmental regulation of the dopaminergic system ha ve been hypothesized to participate in the age-dependent onset of schizophr enia. Although data from studies of non-human primates suggest that dopamin e D-1-like receptors decrease during adolescence, less information is avail able concerning changes in human brain. The present study employed quantita tive receptor autoradiography to measure D-1-like receptor density and affi nity in human caudate and putamen. Samples were obtained postmortem from 15 subjects (9 weeks to 49 years), and grouped a priori into three classes: i nfants, adolescents, and adults. Receptor density and affinity were assesse d by saturation binding with [H-3]-SCH23390, a D-1 receptor antagonist. A d ecrease in D-1 receptor density was observed from infancy to adulthood, wit h no change in receptor affinity. The temporal pattern of D-1-like receptor expression during maturation may play a role in the interaction of dopamin e with other neurotransmitter systems, and in the occurrence and pharmacoth erapy of neurological and neuropsychiatric disorders. [Neuropsychopharmacol ogy 21:641-649, 1999] (C) 1999 American College of Neuropsychopharmacology. Published by Elsevier Science Inc.