Abstract

We investigated the time-course effects of a single administration of cocaine (20 mg/kg) on GABA A receptor binding labeled by t-[ 35S]butylbicyclophophorothionate (TBPS) and on several types of GABA A receptor subunit mRNAs in the rat brain by in vitro quantitative receptor autoradiography and in situ hybridization. The levels of α1, β2, and β3 subunit mRNAs in several brain regions such as the cortex, cerebellum, and striatum were significantly decreased within 1 h, while β3 subunit mRNA was increased in the dentate gyrus. All of these changes were transient, occurring within 1 h after the injection of cocaine. In the cortex and cerebellum, the reduction in α1 subunit mRNA was followed by a significant decrease in [ 35S]TBPS receptor binding, which occurred 4 h after cocaine injection. These findings suggest that acute cocaine administration discretely regulates GABA A receptor subunit mRNA levels in several brain regions through a change in transcription or turnover rates of subunit mRNAs, which may be closely related to cocaine-induced behavioral abnormalities.

Talk to us

Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have

Schedule a call

Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.