[3H]dihydroalprenolol binding to beta adrenergic receptors in multiple sclerosis brain.

By using immunocytochemistry we previously reported the absence of beta(2) adrenergic receptors on astrocytes in multiple sclerosis (MS) white matter. Here, we measured beta(1) and beta(2) adrenergic receptor concentrations in postmortem brain sections of six MS patients and six controls by using quantitative autoradiography with [(3)H]dihydroalprenolol. White matter contained no beta(1) adrenergic receptors. In white matter of controls low levels of beta(2) adrenergic receptors were detected. In agreement with the immunohistochemical study, we were unable to detect beta(2) adrenergic receptors in both normal appearing white matter and astrogliotic plaques in MS. Concentrations of beta(1) and beta(2) adrenergic receptors in cerebral cortex were not different between controls and MS patients.