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Autoradiographic localization of γ-aminobutyric acidA receptors within the ventral tegmental area

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Abstract

Destruction of intrinsic neurons in the ventral tegmental area (VTA) with the excitotoxin, quinolinic acid produced a significant decrease (80%) in [3H]muscimol binding to GABAA receptors within the parabrachial pigmented and paranigral nuclei of the VTA. Selective destruction of the dopaminergic neurons with 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA) did not reduce [3H]muscimol binding within the VTA. However, the destruction of dopaminergic neurons did produce an increase (20%) in [3H]muscimol binding contralateral to the lesion, suggesting a reduction in the GABAergic innervation to this region. Additionally, destruction of the VTA afferents with quinolinic acid injections in the medial accumbens failed to produce alterations in [3H]muscimol binding within the VTA. These results are consistent with the predominant localization of GABAA receptors to non-dopaminergic neurons intrinsic to the VTA.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Veterinary and Comparative Anatomy, Physiology and Pharmacology, Washington State University, 99164-6520, Pullman, WA

    Lynn Churchill & Peter W. Kalivas

  2. Department of Physiology, Virginia Commonwealth University, 23298, Richmond, VA

    Roger P. Dilts

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  1. Lynn Churchill
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  2. Roger P. Dilts
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  3. Peter W. Kalivas
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Special issue dedicated to Dr. Frederick E. Samson

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Churchill, L., Dilts, R.P. & Kalivas, P.W. Autoradiographic localization of γ-aminobutyric acidA receptors within the ventral tegmental area. Neurochem Res 17, 101–106 (1992). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00966870

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