Summary
Using autoradiographic techniques we studied the changes that in adrenergic receptors occurred in the cerebellum of two olivopontocerebellar atrophy (OPCA) patients as compared with a control group. In OPCA cerebellum the densities of total β-adrenoceptors were reduced along the cortex but increased in the white matter. Although mainly the β1 subtype was decreased along the cerebellar cortex, the increase of β-receptors over the white matter was due to a selective raise in the β2 subtype. These findings suggest a post-synaptic neuronal location for the β1 subtype and a glial location for the β2-adrenoceptor. On the other hand, alpha2-adrenoceptors were clearly reduced all along the cerebellar cortex of these OPCA brains, this probably being secondary to the loss of presynaptic adrenergic terminals arising from the locus coeruleus. These results help clarify both the subcellular location of adrenoceptors in human cerebellum and the neurochemical pathophysiology of OPCA.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Berciano J (1982) Olivopontocerebellar atrophy. A review of 117 cases. J Neurol Sci 53: 253–272
Berciano J (1993) Olivopontocerebellar atrophy. In: Jankovic J, Tolosa E (eds) Parkinson's disease and movement disorders. Williams and Wilkins, Baltimore, pp 163–190
Biegon A (1991) Acetylcholine, serotonin and β adrenoceptors. In: Mendelson FAO, Paxinos G (eds) Receptors in the human nervous system. Academic Press, London, pp 49–72
Braham J, Sadeh M, Turgman J (1979) Beneficial effects of propranolol in familial ataxia. Ann Neurol 5: 207
Cash R, Ruberg M, Raisman R, Agid Y (1984) Adrenergic receptors in Parkinson's disease. Brain Res 322: 269–275
Duhigg WJ (1985) Effect of propranolol in ataxic syndromes. Arch Neurol 42: 15
Kalaria RN, Andorn AC (1991) Adrenergic receptors in aging and Alzheimer's disease: decreased alpha2-receptors demonstrated by [3H]p-aminoclonidine binding in prefrontal cortex. Neurobiol Aging 12: 131–136
Kalaria RN, Andorn AC, Tabaton M, Whitehouse PJ, Harik SI, Unnerstall JR (1989) Adrenergic receptors in aging and Alzheimer's disease: increased beta2-receptors in prefrontal cortex and hippocampus. J Neurochem 53: 1772–1781
Koepen EA, Mitzen EJ, Hans MB, Barron KD (1986) Olivopontocerebellar atrophy: immunocytochemical and Golgi observations. Neurology 36: 1478–1488
Oertel WH (1993) Neurotransmitters in the cerebellum: scientific aspects and clinical relevance. In: Harding AE, Deufel T (eds) Advances in neurology, vol 61. Raven Press, New York, pp 33–75
Pascual J, Berciano J, González AM, Figols J, Pazos J (1993) Autoradiographic demonstration of loss of alpha2-receptors in a progressive supranuclear palsy case. Preliminary report. J Neurol Sci 114: 165–169
Pascual J, del Arco C, González AM, Pazos AM (1992 a) Quantitative light microscopic autoradiography of alpha2-adrenoceptors in the human brain. Brain Res 585: 116–127
Pascual J, Grijalba B, Garcia-Sevilla J, Zarranz JJ, Pazos A (1992 b) Loss of high-affinity alpha2-adrenoceptors in Alzheimer's disease: an autoradiographic study in frontal cortex and hippocampus. Neurosci Lett 142: 36–40
Pascual J, Pazos A, del Olmo E, Figols J, Berciano J (1991) Presynaptic parkinsonism in Olivopontocerebellar atrophy: clinical, pathological and neurochemical evidence. Ann Neurol 30: 425–428
Pazos A, Engel G, Palacios JM (1985 a) β-Adrenoceptor blocking agents recognize a subpopulation of serotonin receptors in brain. Brain Res 343: 403–408
Pazos A, Probst A, Palacios JM (1985 b) β-Adrenoceptor subtypes in the human brain: autoradiographic localization. Brain Res 358: 324–328
Pazos A, González AM, Pascual J, Meana JJ, Barturen F, García-Sevilla JA (1988) Alpha2-adrenoceptors in the human forebrain: autoradiographic visualization and biochemical parameters using the agonist3H-UK-14304. Brain Res 475: 361–365
Scherer HJ (1933) Beiträge zur pathologischen Anatomie des Kleinhirns. III. Z Ges Neurol Psychiatr 145: 335–405
Starke K, Göthert M, Kilbinger H (1989) Modulation of neurotransmitter release by presynaptic autoreceptors. Physiol Rev 69: 864–989
Unnerstall JR, Niehoff DL, Kuhar MJ, Palacios JM (1982) Quantitative receptor autoradiography using3H-ultrofilm: application to multiple benzodiazepine receptors. J Neurosci Methods 6: 59–73
Waeber C, Rigo M, Giorgia C, Probst A, Palacios JM (1991) Beta-adrenergic receptor subtypes in the basal ganglia of patients with Huntington's chorea and Parkinson's disease. Synapse 8: 270–280
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Grijalba, B., Berciano, J., Anciones, B. et al. Adrenergic receptors in the cerebellum of olivopontocerebellar atrophy. J. Neural Transmission 96, 135–142 (1994). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01277935
Received:
Accepted:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01277935