Effects of unilateral 6-OHDA lesions on [3H]-N-propylnorapomorphine binding in striatum ex vivo and vulnerability to amphetamine-evoked dopamine release in rat

▶ 6-OHDA lesions produced the expected 90% decrease in the concentrations of dopamine reuptake sites in the lesioned striatum. ▶ 6-OHDA lesions were associated with a more distinct increase in [3H]NPA binding ex vivo than was seen for [3H]-raclopride binding in vitro. ▶ Amphetamine challenge in 6-OHDA lesioned rats nearly doubled the asymmetric distribution of [3H]NPA, between lesion and healthy side of the striatum.