Comments: Two studies that show that aerobic exercise increases in dopamine (D2) receptors. D2 receptors decrease with addictions, and are a major cause of desensitization. This study shows that long-term endurance training can increase dopamine D2 receptors in the reward circuitry (striatum).
Endurance training effects on striatal D2 dopamine receptor binding and striatal dopamine metabolite levels (1987)
Neurosci Lett. 1987 Aug 18;79(1-2):138-44.
MacRae PG, Spirduso WW, Cartee GD, Farrar RP, Wilcox RE.
Department of Health and Physical Education, College of Pharmacy, University of Texas, Austin 78712.
We have previously shown that endurance training is associated with higher binding of [3H]spiperone to striatal D2 dopamine (DA) receptors of presenescent (21 months old) rats. In the present study we investigated the effects of 6 months of endurance training of young adults on the relationship between steady-state levels of DA and its metabolites in striatum and the affinity and density of striatal D2 DA receptors. The extent of training was confirmed by evaluating the maximal oxygen consumption (VO2 max) in the subjects. D2 DA binding was significantly increased at each of 3 [3H]spiperone concentrations in the young runners. A 'synaptic coupling ratio' calculated as the specific DA binding/DOPAC concentration was significantly increased in runners for the 0.1 and 0.4 nM radioligand concentrations. Across experimental groups levels of DA were highly and positively correlated with specific DA binding at the 0.1, 0.2 and 0.4 nM [3H]spiperone concentrations. Together, these results suggest that exercise can alter the number of DA binding sites and the metabolism of DA in young adult animals.
Comments: Parkinson's patients increase dopamine D2 receptors with treadmill exercise. Addictions cause a decline in D2 receptors which is partly the cause of desensitization. Another reason to exercise.
Exercise elevates dopamine D2 receptor in a mouse model of Parkinsons disease In vivo imaging with (18F) fallypride
Volume 25, Issue 16, pages 2777-2784, 15 December 2010
Marta G. Vučcković MSc1,2, Quanzheng Li PhD3, Beth Fisher PT, PhD4, Angelo Nacca PhD5, Richard M. Leahy PhD3, John P. Walsh PhD6, Jogesh Mukherjee PhD7, Celia Williams BSc2, Michael W. Jakowec PhD2,4, Giselle M. Petzinger MD2,4*
The purpose of the current study was to examine changes in dopamine D2 receptor (DA-D2R) expression within the basal ganglia of MPTP mice subjected to intensive treadmill exercise. Using Western immunoblotting analysis of synaptoneurosomes and in vivo positron emission tomography (PET) imaging employing the DA-D2R specific ligand [18F]fallypride, we found that high intensity treadmill exercise led to an increase in striatal DA-D2R expression that was most pronounced in MPTP compared to saline treated mice.
Exercise-induced changes in the DA-D2R in the dopamine-depleted basal ganglia are consistent with the potential role of this receptor in modulating medium spiny neurons (MSNs) function and behavioral recovery. Importantly, findings from this study support the rationale for using PET imaging with [18F]fallypride to examine DA-D2R changes in individuals with Parkinson's Disease (PD) undergoing high-intensity treadmill training.
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