Alterations in Neurotransmitter Receptor Binding in Discrete Areas of the Copper-Deficient Rat Brain

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Abstract
Neonatal Cu deficiency produced alterations in central neurotransmitter receptors that were selective with respect both to brain region and to neurotransmitter receptor type. Both high- and low-affinity dopamine receptor densities in the corpus striatum were significantly lowered, 55% and 29%, respectively, when expressed on a wet weight basis. There was a significant decrease in the level of muscarinic receptors in the striatum whether expressed on the basis of wet weight (50%) or protein (27%). A smaller reduction in muscarinic receptor density was observed in the cortex, whereas there was no effect of Cu deficiency in the cerebellum. The treatment did not change .beta.-adrenergic receptor binding in either the cortex or cerebellum. The affinities of the receptors for the ligands was not affected by the low-Cu diet. Cu deficiency produces regionally specific decreases in the concentrations of dopamine and norepinephrine. The greatest reduction occurred in the concentration of dopamine in the corpus striatum. Cu deficiency in post-weanling rats may induce a selective morphological lesion.