Effect of unilateral perinatal hypoxic-ischemic brain injury on striatal dopamine uptake sites and D1 and D2 receptors in adult rats.

The effect of unilateral perinatal hypoxic-ischemic brain injury on striatal dopamine uptake sites and on D1 and D2 receptors was investigated in rat by using in vitro quantitative receptor binding autoradiography, 9-11 weeks after the insult. Saturation experiments revealed a significant 20% decrease in maximal binding capacity (Bmax) for [3H]spiperone-labeled D2 receptors on the side of the lesion in comparison to the non-lesioned contralateral side or to either side of control animals. There was no significant change in [3H]mazindol-labeled dopamine uptake sites or in [3H]SCH 23390-labeled D1 receptor characteristics (Bmax and Kd) on the lesioned side. We conclude that the decrease in D2 receptor binding previously observed in immature animals is persistent, whereas the decrease in D1 binding is not.