Nicotinic receptors in the putamen of patients with dementia with Lewy bodies and Parkinson's disease: relation to changes in alpha-synuclein expression

Neurosci Lett. 2002 Dec 25;335(2):134-8. doi: 10.1016/s0304-3940(02)01183-7.

Abstract

A reduction in nicotinic receptor (nAChR) binding has previously been observed in putamen in Parkinson's disease (PD) and dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB). The present study demonstrates no concommitant reduction in the expression of alpha2-alpha7, beta2 and beta3 nAChR subunit proteins. Alphasynuclein, which can interfere with membrane protein function and is a key constituent of PD and DLB pathology, was increased (insoluble fraction) in both disorders, although nAChR binding loss did not correlate with alpha-synuclein expression within patient groups. The results point to a possible abnormality of striatal nicotinic receptor assembly in PD and DLB.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Bridged Bicyclo Compounds, Heterocyclic / pharmacology
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Lewy Body Disease / metabolism*
  • Male
  • Nerve Tissue Proteins / metabolism*
  • Nicotinic Agonists / pharmacology
  • Parkinson Disease / metabolism*
  • Putamen / drug effects
  • Putamen / metabolism*
  • Pyridines / pharmacology
  • Radioligand Assay
  • Receptors, Nicotinic / analysis
  • Receptors, Nicotinic / classification
  • Receptors, Nicotinic / metabolism*
  • Synucleins
  • Tritium
  • alpha-Synuclein

Substances

  • Bridged Bicyclo Compounds, Heterocyclic
  • Nerve Tissue Proteins
  • Nicotinic Agonists
  • Pyridines
  • Receptors, Nicotinic
  • SNCA protein, human
  • Synucleins
  • alpha-Synuclein
  • Tritium
  • epibatidine