Hints on the Lateralization of Dopamine Binding to D1 Receptors in Rat Striatum

Dopamine receptors in striatum are important for healthy brain functioning and are the target of levodopa-based therapy in Parkinson's disease. Lateralization of dopaminergic neurotransmission in striata from different hemispheres occurs in patients, but also in healthy individuals. Our data show that the affinity of dopamine binding to dopamine D1 receptors is significantly higher in left than in right striatum. Analysis of data from radioligand binding to striatal samples from naïve, 6-hydroxydopamine lesioned, levodopa-treated and levodopa-induced dyskinetic rats shows differential receptor structure and gives hints on the causes of right/left lateralization of dopamine binding to striatal D1 receptors. Moreover, binding data showed loss of lateralization in levodopa (L-DOPA)-induced dyskinetic rats.