Postnatal development of the dopamine transporter: a quantitative autoradiographic study

doi:10.1016/0165-3806(96)00004-1

Developmental Brain Research

Volume 92, Issue 2, 30 April 1996, Pages 172-181

https://doi.org/10.1016/0165-3806(96)00004-1 Get rights and content

Abstract

The dopamine transporter performs an important role in regulatinf neurochemical transmission at dopaminergic synapses, as well as dopamine synthetic activity in dopaminergic neurons. Certain drugs and toxins exert effects at the transportted, especially cocaine, a common drug of abuse. We studied the development of these sites in the rat postnatal ages day 0, 5, 10, 15, 21 and adult using quantitative autoradiography with the cocaine analogue [¹²⁵I]RTI-55. At birth, certain structures such as the substantia nigra, interstitial nucleus of the medial longitudinal fasciculus, frontal and parietal cortex, and substantia inominata had [¹²⁵I]RTI-55 binding levels that were already near he adult value. The striatum developed later, showing earlier growth in the anterior and dorsolateral regions, with early localization in both striosomes and a subcallosal streak. Anterio-to-posterior and lateral-to-medial gradients were present at day 0. The anterior striatum, ventral tegmental region, substantia nigra compacta and bed nucleus of the stria terminals showed transient peaks in binding levels that were higher than the adult values. Structures showing relatively late development included the prefrontal cortex, nucleus accumbens shell, olfactory tubercle and subthalamic nucleus. Knowledge of the differential developmental patterns of the dopamine transporter in different brain regions may have implications for understanding the neurodevelopmental effects of prenatal cocaine exposure.

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Research reportPostnatal development of the dopamine transporter: a quantitative autoradiographic study

Abstract

Life Sci.

Dev. Brain Res.

Brain Res.

Mol. Brain Res.

J. Am. Acad. Child Adolesc. Psychiatry

Dev. Brain Res.

Trends Neurosci.

Dev. Brain Res.

Brain Res. Rev.

Neurosci. Lett.

Life Sci.

Neurosci. Lett.

Dev. Brain Res.

Biochem. Pharmacol.

Brain Res.

Dev. Brain Res.

Dev. Brain Res.

J. Pediat.

Research report
Postnatal development of the dopamine transporter: a quantitative autoradiographic study