Effects of nigrostriatal dopamine denervation on ionotropic glutamate receptors in rat caudate-putamen

Changes in ionotropic glutamate NMDA, AMPA and KA receptor binding in rat c audate-putamen were examined by quantitative in vitro receptor autoradiogra phy 5 weeks after lesioning nigrostriatal dopaminergic projections. In this animal model of Parkinson's disease, density of binding in caudate-putamen increased at KA, but not NMDA or AMPA receptors. The findings indicate tha t nigrostriatal dopamine denervation can selectively enhance KA receptor le vels in rat basal ganglia, suggest that KA receptors contribute to the path ophysiology of Parkinson's disease, and may suggest innovative treatments. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.