Elsevier

Brain Research

Volume 248, Issue 1, 23 September 1982, Pages 87-96
Brain Research

Opiate receptor binding sites in human brain

https://doi.org/10.1016/0006-8993(82)91150-7Get rights and content

Abstract

Subclasses of opiate receptor binding sites in human brain membranes were investigated by means of competitive binding techniques. The experimental data were analyzed by use of computerized non-linear regression curve fitting program. μ-, δ- and χ-types of opiate binding were found in 5 different regions of the brain. A more extensive analysis of the regional distribution of subclasses of opiate binding sites was performed using a simple sequential inhibition technique. This method was shown to yield results which are comparable to those obtained by computer analysis of multiple tracer displacement curves. χ- and μ-sites represented the major component of binding in most brain areas whereas δ-sites were fewer in number. The 3 types of binding showed different distribution patterns, suggesting that they are independent from each other. The distribution pattern observed in human brain resembled the one observed in rat brain, although χ-sites appear to represent a more important, and δ-sites appear to represent a less important, fraction of binding in human as compared to rat brain.

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Present address: Laboratory of Clinical Science, National Institute of Health, Bethesda, MD 20205, U.S.A.

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