Opiate receptor: autoradiographic localization in rat brain

Abstract

Opiate receptor sites in rat brain can be labeled in vivo by [3H]diprenorphine, a potent opiate antagonist.Using techniques to minimize diffusion in fresh, frozen, unfixed brain, we have localized [3Hjdiprenorphine by autoradiography to visualize the distribution of opiate receptors.Silver grains in- dicative of the binding of labeled [3Hldiprenorphine are dis- cretely localized in numerous areas of the brain with very high densities in the locus coeruleus, the substantia gelatinosa of the spinal cord, and in clusters within the caudate-putamen, amygdala, and parts of the periventricular gray matter.