Social isolation does not alter brain regional benzodiazepine binding site numbers, affinity and coupling in the rat.
Male Sprague-Dawley rats were differentially housed for 21 days immediately after weaning. Isolated animals showed a selective suppression of exploration of the light side of a two compartment box; spending significantly less time in the light, and making fewer transitions between the light and dark compartments compared to socially reared controls. However, both basal and GABA-stimulated [3H] flunitrazepam binding was unaltered in the frontal cortex, hippocampus, amygdala and cerebellum following social isolation. These results are discussed in relation to other studies on central benzodiazepine receptor changes following a variety of experimental stressors.
Morinan
A
A
Department of Biological Sciences, North East Surrey College of Technology, Ewell, Epsom, UK.
Parker
V
V
Rich
D A
DA
Cariuk
P
P
Horton
R W
RW
D000818:Animals; D001522:Behavior, Animal / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D001923:Brain Chemistry / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D005445:Flunitrazepam / Q000494:pharmacology; D007700:Kinetics; D008297:Male; D051381:Rats; D011919:Rats, Inbred Strains; D011963:Receptors, GABA-A / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D012934:Social Isolation
D011963:Receptors, GABA-A; D005445:Flunitrazepam