Effects of nigrostriatal dopamine denervation on ionotropic glutamate receptors in rat caudate-putamen.

Changes in ionotropic glutamate NMDA, AMPA and KA receptor binding in rat caudate-putamen were examined by quantitative in vitro receptor autoradiography 5 weeks after lesioning nigrostriatal dopaminergic projections. In this animal model of Parkinson's disease, density of binding in caudate-putamen increased at KA, but not NMDA or AMPA receptors. The findings indicate that nigrostriatal dopamine denervation can selectively enhance KA receptor levels in rat basal ganglia, suggest that KA receptors contribute to the pathophysiology of Parkinson's disease, and may suggest innovative treatments.