DEMONSTRATION OF L-DOPA DECARBOXYLATING NEURONS SPECIFIC TO HUMAN STRIATUM

In the human striatum, we immunohistochemically demonstrated many neur ons that were immunoreactive for aromatic L-amino acid decarboxylase ( AADC; the second step dopamine-synthesizing enzyme) but not for tyrosi ne hydroxylase (TH; the first step dopamine-synthesizing enzyme). The number of AADC-positive neurons was especially large in the ventral st riatum including the nucleus accumbens. The significance of AADC-posit ive neurons are discussed in relation to the acting sites of L-dopa an d antipsychotic drugs. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd.