1. The values of both Kd and Bmax of [3H] dihydroalprenolol binding in the cerebral cortical membranes of old-aged (12 month old) SAM-P/1 were not significantly different compared with those of young (2 month old) SAM-P/1. 2. The values of Ki of metoprolol in the young and old aged SAM were 119 +/- 39.5 nM and 157 +/- 55 nM, respectively. 3. The values of beta 1/beta 2 ratio of the young and old aged SAM were 1.67 +/- 0.15 and 1.64 +/- 0.13, respectively. 4. These results suggest that there were no significant changes of binding characteristics of beta 1 and beta 2 adrenoceptors during aging in the cerebral cortex of SAM.