DEFICITS OF [H-3] D-ASPARTATE BINDING TO GLUTAMATE UPTAKE SITES IN STRIATAL AND ACCUMBENS TISSUE IN PATIENTS WITH SCHIZOPHRENIA

The: hypothesis involving glutamate in the neuropathology of schizophr enia has attracted great interest. Several studies report dysfunctions in glutamatergic systems, including alterations in kainate and N-meth yl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptors in various areas, as well as changes i n the number of glutamate uptake sites. We have studied this further u sing [H-3]D-aspartate binding to glutamate uptake sites as a measure o f the integrity of presynaptic glutamate systems in several areas (cau date nucleus, putamen, nucleus accumbens, frontal cortex and temporal cortex) of brain tissue taken at autopsy from schizophrenic patients a nd controls. A significant decrease in the number of glutamate uptake sites was apparent in caudate nucleus, putamen and nucleus accumbens i n the schizophrenia group, indicating an impaired glutamategic innerva tion of these subcortical regions. However, no significant changes wer e found in the two cortical regions studied. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd.