Effect of aging on striatal dopamine receptor subtypes in Wistar rats

Both D1 and D2 dopamine receptor subtypes are lost from striata as Wistar rats age. The magnitude of loss differs slightly for the two subtypes (approximately 30% for D1, approximately 40% for D2) as does the temporal pattern (progressive loss from 3 to 24 months for D2, no decrease in D1 after 12 months) although most D2 loss also occurs in the first half of the lifespan. Dopamine stimulated adenylate cyclase activity also declines during striatal aging in a manner roughly proportioned to D1 receptor loss.