Changes in benzodiazepine binding in a subkindling situation

Purpose: A low dose of the benzodiazepine receptor inverse agonist methyl b eta-carboline-3-carboxylate (beta-CCM) (1 mg/kg) was used to assess [H-3]-f lumazenil binding in a subkindling situation in Swiss mice. Methods: The brains were removed, and benzodiazepine receptor binding was s tudied every second day over 14 days of administration. Results: With each successive trial, B-max values showed a steady and signi ficant decrease, whereas K-J values showed a steady and significant increas e. Behavioral data showed that at this low dose, actual kindling (seizuring ) was not reached at the behavioral level. Conclusions: The findings suggest that decreased gamma-aminobutyric acid (G ABA) inhibition may occur even if behavioral effects of kindling are not ob served.