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Title: In vivo benzodiazepine receptor binding and imaging using (/sup 3/H)-flunitrazepam

Thesis/Dissertation ·
OSTI ID:6281370

The use of (/sup 3/H)-flunitrazepam as a ligand to image and measure alterations in benzodiazepine receptors in vivo in rat was investigated. Animals were injected with (/sup 3/H)-flunitrazepam intravenously, arterial samples of (/sup 3/H)-flunitrazepam were obtained and later the animals were sacrificed to assay brain binding. (/sup 3/H)-Flunitrazepam entered brain rapidly and bound to benzodiazepine receptors. A series of rats were lesioned unilaterally with kainic acid in the caudate-putamen several months prior to the infusion of (/sup 3/H)-flunitrazepam. In vivo autoradiography in lesioned rats showed that benzodiazepine binding in the lesioned striatum was significantly decreased compared to the control side and that benzodiazepine binding in globus pallidus and substantia nigra on the side of the lesion was significantly increased as compared to the intact side. The observed changes in benzodiazepine binding were similar to those observed previously in lesioned rats using in vitro techniques. Thus, benzodiazepine receptor regulation could be imaged quantitatively using in vivo binding techniques.

Research Organization:
Michigan Univ., Ann Arbor (USA)
OSTI ID:
6281370
Resource Relation:
Other Information: Thesis (Ph. D.)
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English