Binding of [,H]LY278584, which has been previously shown to label 5-hydroxytryptamine3 (5-HT3) receptors in rat cortex, was studied in human brain. Saturation experiments revealed a homogeneous population of saturable binding sites in amygdala (KD = 3.08 t-0.67 nM, B,, = 1 I .86 -t I .87 fmol/mg of protein) as well as in hippocampus, caudate, and putamen. Specific binding was also high in nucleus accumbens and entorhinal cortex. Specific binding was negligible in neocortical areas. Kinetic studies conducted in human hippocampus revealed a KO,, of 0.025 t 0.009 nM-' min-' and a KO, of 0.010 k 0.002 min-'. 5-Hydroxytryptamine3 (5-HT3) receptors, originally called 5-HT M receptors, were first described by Gaddum and Picarelli (1957) in the guinea pig ileum as a subtype of 5-HT receptors that mediated depolarization of cholinergic nerves. They were later found in various other peripheral nervous system neurons, and renamed 5-HT3 receptors in the general classification of Bradley et al. (1986). However, their presence in the CNS was only recently described (Kilpatrick et al., 1987), a discovery that was facilitated by the development of several 5-HT3 receptor antagonists. They have subsequently been characterized extensively in rat brain using a variety of radioligands, including et al., 1989). In addition to these biochemical studies, 5-HT3 antagonism was shown to modulate mesolimbicdopaminergic activity in rodents. The peripheral and central administration of GR38032F, a potent and selective 5-HT3 antagonist, blocked the hyperlocomotion induced by intraaccumbens and intraamygdala administration of dopamine and amphetamine; there was no rebound hyperactivity on discontinuation of the 5-
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