GABAergic subsensitivity of dorsal raphe neurons in vitro after chronic benzodiazepine treatment in vivo.
Previous studies have shown that chronic benzodiazepine treatment reduces the in vivo sensitivity of dorsal raphe neurons (DRN) to microiontophoretically applied gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA). We have examined sensitivity of DRN in vitro using a modified midbrain slice technique which allows side-by-side analysis of slices from control and chronic diazepam-treated rats. GABA sensitivity of raphe neurons was reduced in slices from rats treated for 3 weeks with diazepam, compared to control sensitivity. Thus, GABA subsensitivity following chronic diazepam treatment appears to be dependent on changes intrinsic to the midbrain area.
Wilson
M A
MA
Yale University School of Medicine, Department of Psychiatry, New Haven, CT 06508.
Gallager
D W
DW
D000200:Action Potentials / Q000187:drug effects; D000818:Animals; D003975:Diazepam / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D008297:Male; D011903:Raphe Nuclei / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D051381:Rats; D011919:Rats, Inbred Strains; D005680:gamma-Aminobutyric Acid / Q000494:pharmacology*
D005680:gamma-Aminobutyric Acid; D003975:Diazepam