Benzodiazepine binding sites in the cingulate cortex after lesion of the noradrenaline and dopamine containing afferents

Abstract The distribution of benzodiazepine binding sites was analysed in the cingulate cortex of the rat brain by quantitative radioautography of brain sections incubated with a full agonist benzodiazepine ligand, 3H-flunitrazepam (3H-FLU), or with a partial agonist with non benzodiazepinic structure, (7-3H)-4hydroxy-N(4,5-dihydroxy-2-thiazolyl)-6 methoxy-3-quinoline (3H-RU 43028), after lesion of noradrenaline (NA) and dopamine (DA) containing afferents to this structure. NA denervation was obtained by systemic administration of N-(2 chlorethyl)-N ethyl-2-bromobenzylamine (DSP4) and destruction of both NA and DA containing afferents was induced by unilateral injection of 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA) in the middle forebrain bundle (MFB). A similar caudo-rostral pattern of distribution was found in the cingulate cortex after incubation with these two ligands which bound a greater number of sites in the anterior portion of the structure. In spite of a very precise anatomical sampling (200 μm intervals along the postero-anterior axis) no significant difference was observed when intact and lesioned brains were compared. It is concluded that benzodiazepine binding sites eventually localized on catecholaminergic afferents to the cingulate cortex do not represent a significant proportion of the total population of these sites in this structure.