Transmitter Receptor Distribution in the Human Brain

Transmitter receptors are key molecules of signal processing in the brain. They occur at different densities between different cortical regions and layers, as well as subcortical nuclei. The differences enable mapping of these structures based on the density of a single or multiple receptors in each structure. We summarize data of selected receptor types of classical transmitter systems in the human cerebral cortex, cerebellum, hippocampus, amygdala, basal ganglia, and thalamus. A short review of developmental and age-related changes is also provided. Finally, we show the relevance of multireceptor analyses (receptor fingerprints) for the characterization of functional systems at the molecular level.

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