Nicotinic receptors in the putamen of patients with dementia with Lewy bodies and Parkinson's disease: relation to changes in α-synuclein expression

A reduction in nicotinic receptor (nAChR) binding has previously been observed in putamen in Parkinson's disease (PD) and dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB). The present study demonstrates no concommitant reduction in the expression of α2-α7, β2 and β3 nAChR subunit proteins. Alphasynuclein, which can interfere with membrane protein function and is a key constituent of PD and DLB pathology, was increased (insoluble fraction) in both disorders, although nAChR binding loss did not correlate with α-synuclein expression within patient groups. The results point to a possible abnormality of striatal nicotinic receptor assembly in PD and DLB.