Stress Induced Alterations in Striatal GABA_A Receptor Complex

Abstract

The effect of cold-immobilized stress on the γ-aminobutylic acid (GABA)/ benzodiazepine (BZP) receptor complex in the rat striatum was examined. The stressful manipulation induced a significant decrease in the amount of [³H]muscimol binding sites in the striatal particulate fraction. On the other hand, [³H]flunitrazepam (FLN) binding and the enhancing effect of FLN or secobarbital on the [³H]muscimol binding to the striatal particulate fraction were not influenced by the stress treatment. These results suggest that cold-immobilized stress may selectively change GABA_A receptor binding without altering BZP receptor binding as well as the functional coupling between GABA_A and BZP receptors.