Human post-mortem striatal α4β2 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor density in schizophrenia and Parkinson's syndrome

The density of nicotinic alpha 4 beta 2 receptors, which are believed to largely mediate nicotine's effects, has been reported to be decreased in post-mortem hippocampus of patients with schizophrenia. In the present study, using [H-3]cytisine as a radioligand, we observed a significant 30% decrease in post-mortem striatum of patients with schizophrenia (n = 12) as compared to controls (n = 12). A 25% decrease of striatal alpha 4 beta 2 receptor density in patients with Parkinson's syndrome (n = 12) was not significant. As an upregulation of alpha 4 beta 2 receptors has been observed due to nicotine consumption, the beneficial effects of nicotine described in patients with schizophrenia may be partly due to a compensation for a decrease in alpha 4 beta 2 nicotinic acetylcholine receptors. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.