Transport of [3H]mazindol binding sites in mesostriatal dopamine axons.

6-Hydroxydopamine injections along mesostriatal dopaminergic axons can be used to interrupt axonal transport from cell bodies in the substantia nigra pars compacta to terminal fields in the striatum. Such lesions produce accumulations of high-affinity dopamine uptake sites (as measured by [3H]mazindol binding) and acetylcholinesterase proximal to the injection, suggesting that at least a portion of the [3H]mazindol binding and acetylcholinesterase activity seen in the striatum is located presynaptically on the mesostriatal dopaminergic fibers.