Alteration of high-affinity binding sites of neurotransmitter receptors in rats after neonatal exposure to streptomycin.

Central neurotransmitter functions were analyzed in dyskinetic rats that were treated subacutely with streptomycin as neonates. Data indicated that the treatment caused an increase in the binding of [3H]spiroperidol in striatum and of [3H]serotonin in frontal cortex, but no significant changes were observed in the binding of [3H]quinuclidinyl benzilate and [3H]muscimol to cerebellum and of [3H]diazepam to frontal cortex. The increase in the binding of [3H]spiroperidol and [3H]serotonin was evident in both sexes; however, the increase of [3H]spiroperidol binding was statistically significant only in females. Kinetic studies as revealed by Scatchard plots show that the increase in the binding of the two ligands is due to an increase in the number of the receptors. These results support the concept of a central mechanism of action for the streptomycin-induced dyskinesias.