Affinity changes of rat striatal dopamine receptors in vivo after acute bupropion treatment

The effect of bupropion (Wellbutrin) was studied on in vivo [3H]spiperone binding in rat striatum and cerebellum. The compound increased binding dose dependently in striatum whereas no effect was observed in cerebellum. Saturation analyses of in vivo binding in the striatum revealed an increased affinity of the receptors rather than changes in the number of binding sites. These results are the first demonstration of an increased sensitivity of central dopamine receptors after acute bupropion treatment.