Receptor mapping: architecture of the human cerebral cortex

Abstract

Purpose of review: Cytoarchitectonical brain mapping is of growing interest as a powerful tool for localization of activated brain regions in functional neuroimaging. Mapping of neurotransmitter receptors can provide novel molecular and functionally relevant information to the available cytoarchitectonical brain maps, because receptors are key molecules of neurotransmission. This review highlights the relation between cytoarchitectonical parcellations and the regionally inhomogeneous distribution of receptors. It will demonstrate the potential of receptor mapping for novel and functionally relevant insights into the regional organization of the human cortex.

Recent findings: Mapping of a single receptor type can already reveal borders of functionally and cytoarchitectonically distinct cortical regions. The combined mapping of various receptors in each cortical area (receptor fingerprint) represents the balance between different neurotransmitter systems and often reveals hitherto unknown parcellations. Different brain regions are identified as parts of distinct functional systems.

Summary: Receptor mapping of the human brain, particularly multireceptor mapping, provides a novel and multimodal view of its anatomical, functional and molecular organization. It reveals organizational principles of the segregation of cortical and subcortical structures. It improves our understanding of the brain's architecture beyond the limits of cytoarchitectonics and serves as a basis for clinical and pharmacological studies of brain diseases.