Autoradiographic distribution of non-dopaminergic binding sites labeled by [3H]haloperidol in rat brain

The regional distribution of binding sites labeled by [3H]haloperidol, in the presence of excess spiroperidol, was compared to the regional distribution of receptors labeled by [3H]SCH 23390 and [3H]sulpiride, [3H]SCH 23390 and [3H]sulpiride labeled distinct nuclei, such as the olfactory tubercle, caudate, globus pallidus, substantia nigra, and inferior and superior colliculi. In contrast, the distribution of binding sites labeled by [3H]haloperidol, in the presence of excess spiroperidol, were much more extensive. Some areas containing the highest density of sites labeled by [3H]haloperidol were the external plexiform layer of the olfactory bulb, the cerebral cortex, the paraventricular nuclei, the interpeduncular nucleus and the superior colliculus. The distribution of non-dopaminergic binding sites labeled by haloperidol was clearly quite different from that labeled by dopaminergic ligands.