Abstract
Brain nicotinic receptors were studied in the frontal cortex, temporal cortex, hippocampus and caudate nucleus in patients with Parkinson's disease (PD), Alzheimer's disease (AD) and controls. The B max and K d values of (−)-[ 3H]nicotine binding were determined with a Scatchard analysis. The number of nicotinic receptors declined both in PD and in AD patients in all brain areas examined. The K d values were unchanged. There was a negative correlation between the degree of dementia in PD patients and the number of nicotinic receptors in the frontal cortex. A similar correlation was seen between the muscarinic/nicotinic receptor ratio in the frontal cortex and the degree of dementia in PD patients. The present findings indicate that nicotinic receptors are affected not only in AD, but also in PD and that dysfunction of the cholinergic system in the frontal cortex is involved in the dementia process in PD.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
