GABA(A) RECEPTOR BETA(1-3) SUBUNIT GENE-EXPRESSION IN THE HIPPOCAMPUSOF KINDLED RATS

The effect of Schaffer collateral/commissural fiber kindling on the ex pression levels of GABA(A) receptor beta(1), beta(2), and beta(3) subu nit mRNA in the pyramidal and granular neurons of the rat dorsal hippo campus was studied, using semi-quantitative in situ hybridization. In pyramidal neurons of CA1 and CA3, only small changes (10-15%) were fou nd. In dentate granule neurons, the expression level of GABA(A)R-beta( 3) mRNA was significantly, enhanced, bilaterally, in animals that were partial or fully kindled. At long-term, 4 weeks after the last convul sion no significant changes were found in pyramidal or granular neuron s.