Somatostatin binding sites in human leptomeninx.

Specific binding sites for somatostatin (SRIF) have been visualized in the human leptomeninx by means of autoradiographical techniques using the stable SRIF octapeptide analog 125I-204-090 as radioligand. The binding sites are specific for SRIF since only biologically active SRIF analogs compete with the radioligand. The density of the binding sites is comparable to that of the adjacent cortical structure. The presence of SRIF binding sites in the human leptomeninx, together with the recent demonstration of SRIF binding sites in human meningiomas, strongly suggest that this peptide may play a role in the physiology of the leptomeninx.