Lateralization of striatal dopamine (D2) receptors in normal rats

A highly significant endogenous lateral asymmetry in striatal dopamine (D2) receptors was found utilizing the binding of [3H]spiroperidol (0.6 nM) to homogenates prepared from the left and the right striata of male rats individually assayed. The mean level of binding was 23% greater in left than in right striatum, while in mesolimbic terminal zones 10% more binding was observed on the right than on the left. These data provide evidence for an intrinsic lateralization of neuroleptic (D2) receptors in the rat brain, and are consistent with prior determinations of endogenous asymmetries in neurochemical and behavioral indices of dopaminergic function in the nigrostriatal system.