3[H]-Sulpiride labels mesolimbic non-dopaminergic sites that bind antidepressant drugs

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Abstract
3[H]-(−)-Sulpiride and 3[H]-spiperone binding was compared in rat amygdala, nucleus accumbens and striatum, using (+/−)-sulpiride to define specific binding. 3[H]-(−)-Sulpiride bound to twice as many sites in amygdala and nucleus accumbens as 3[H]-spiperone. 3[H]-(−)-Sulpiride binding was directed to these additional sites by using 1 μM spiperone to mask dopaminergic binding. The binding of 3[H]-(−)-sulpiride to these sites was high affinity, reversible, Na+-dependent, but not stereospecific. Metoclopramide, tiapride and antidepressant medications, but not other neuroleptics, ADTN, or serotonin displaced 3[H]-(−)-sulpiride binding to these sites. These data suggest that 3[H]-(−)-sulpiride labels mesolimbic sites other than dopamine receptors which may mediate antidepressant effects.