Receptors in human brain diseases: a use for receptor autoradiography in neuropathology

The application of the technique of in vitro receptor autoradiography to the study of neurotransmitter receptor alterations associated with human brain diseases is reviewed. Focus is made on receptor alterations in Parkinson's disease and Senile Dementia. Different types of modifications have been found. The most important are 1) receptor changes related to a specific neuronal loss; 2) receptor regulation associated with modifications of presynaptic input; 3) receptor changes which cannot directly be related to neuronal loss or presynaptic changes. The possible value as a diagnostic tool and the utility of receptor autoradiography in neuropathology is discussed.