Striatal quinolinic acid lesions increase [3H]WIN 35,428 binding to the dopamine transporter

Striatal quinolinic acid lesions have been used as a model for the pathology seen in Huntington's disease. Seven days following a unilateral injection of 100 nmol of quinolinic acid into the rat caudate-putamen (striatum), a large increase in the binding of [3H]WIN 35,428 to the lesioned caudate-putamen was seen when compared to the unlesioned side. Binding in other brain regions was unchanged. These data indicate that there is an increase in dopaminergic uptake sites in the lesioned caudate-putamen and suggest a target for further study in Huntington's disease.