The low affinity component of [3H]clonidine binding is absent in the prefrontal cortex of presumptive suicide victims

Dysfunction in alpha-adrenergic receptor systems has been implicated to be of etiologic significance in depressive illness. The alpha 2-adrenergic ligand [3H]clonidine labels at least two sets of binding sites in normal human prefrontal cortex. We now report that the lower affinity component of [3H]clonidine binding is apparently absent in the prefrontal cortices of presumptive suicide victims.