Autoradiographic demonstration of binding sites for [3H]desipramine in rat brain

Many of the characteristics of [3H]desipramine ([3H]DMI) binding sites, previously established with brain homogenates, were confirmed in slide-mounted sections of rat forebrain. A 1:1 ratio of specific to non-specific binding was established. The proportion of specifically bound [3H]DMI was reduced in brain sections from rats pretreated with 6-hydroxydopamine but not with 5,6-dihydroxytryptamine. High resolution localization of [3H]DMI binding sites was achieved by exposing the sections to tritium-sensitive film.