Norepinephrine transporter sites are decreased in the locus coeruleus in Alzheimer's disease.

The present study determined whether [3H]nisoxetine binding to norepinephrine transporter sites would be altered uniformly throughout the locus coeruleus in Alzheimer's disease. A significant decrease (P < 0.01) in [3H]nisoxetine binding was seen in the mid and caudal regions but not in the rostral region of the locus coeruleus. The loss of [3H]nisoxetine binding to norepinephrine transporter sites may be attributed to a loss of norepinephrine transporter sites located on terminals of noradrenergic neurons in the locus coeruleus in Alzheimer's disease.