Stress induced alterations in striatal GABAA receptor complex.

The effect of cold-immobilized stress on the gamma-aminobutylic acid (GABA)/benzodiazepine (BZP) receptor complex in the rat striatum was examined. The stressful manipulation induced a significant decrease in the amount of [3H]muscimol binding sites in the striatal particulate fraction. On the other hand, [3H]flunitrazepam (FLN) binding and the enhancing effect of FLN or secobarbital on the [3H]muscimol binding to the striatal particulate fraction were not influenced by the stress treatment. These results suggest that cold-immobilized stress may selectively change GABAA receptor binding without altering BZP receptor binding as well as the functional coupling between GABAA and BZP receptors.