3H-spiroperidol binding and dopamine-stimulated adenylate cyclase: Evidence for multiple classes of receptors in primate brain regions

Studies of displacement by agonist and antagonist drugs of 3H-spiroperidol binding in brain regions of Cebus and rhesus monkeys revealed one type of receptor in caudate nucleus and a second type of receptor in both frontal and anterior limbic cortex. Compared with caudate, the cortical regions were more sensitive to clozapine and loxapine, equally sensitive to fluphenazine and relatively less sensitive to haloperidol. Also, the cortical regions were insensitive to molindone. Parallel studies using the dopamine-stimulated adenylate cyclase have demonstrated three types of receptors, one in caudate, a second in frontal cortex, and a third in anterior limbic cortex. In each region studied, relative sensitivities to drug using these two methods differed, suggesting that in each of these regions only a relatively small portion of 3H-spiroperidol receptors are coupled to adenylate cyclase.