Modulation of rat striatal membrane fluidity: effects on age related differences in dopamine receptor concentrations

Rat striatal membrane fluidity and dopamine receptor concentrations were modulated in vitro by ethanol or cholesterol hemisuccinate treatment. In general, available receptor levels are directly proportional to membrane fluidity. However, receptor concentrations remained higher in mature membranes at all levels of fluidity attained. These results suggest that apparent loss of striatal dopamine receptors during aging is not due to membrane sequestration.