Corticosteroid receptor mRNA expression in the brains of patients with epilepsy

The effects of corticosteroids in the brain are mediated through the glucoc orticoid receptor (GR) and the mineralocorticoid receptor (MR). We used a s ensitive competitive RT-PCR assay to quantify the amounts of GR and MR mRNA in human brain tissue specimens from patients with focal epilepsies. GR an d MR mRNAs were expressed at approximately the same levels in the temporal lobe, frontal lobe, and hippocampus as compared to tissues with high glucoc orticoid/mineralocorticoid receptor expression (liver/kidney). GR and MR mR NA concentrations in the temporal lobe increased markedly during childhood and reached adult levels at puberty. GR and MR mRNA expression was signific antly higher in the temporal lobe and frontal lobe cortex of women than in those of men. In women, MR and GR mRNA concentrations were markedly lower i n hippocampal tissue than in frontal and temporal lobe cortex tissue. In co nclusion, our data demonstrate sex- and site-dependent expression of cortic osteroid receptor mRNA in the human brain. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Inc. A ll rights reserved.