Delayed upregulation of GABA A alpha1 receptor subunit mRNA in somatosensory cortex of mice following learning-dependent plasticity of cortical representations

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Experience-dependent modifications of cortical representational maps are accompanied by changes in several components of GABAergic inhibitory neurotransmission system. We examined with in situ hybridization to 35S-labeled oligoprobe changes of expression of GABA A receptor alpha1 subunit mRNA in the barrel cortex of mice after sensory conditioning training. One day and 5 days after the end of short lasting (3 daily sessions) training an increased expression of GABA A alpha1 mRNA was observed at the cortical site where the plastic changes were previously found. Learning associated activation of the cerebral cortex increases expression of GABA A receptor mRNA after a short post-training delays.