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Postnatal development and GABA allosteric modulation of benzodiazepine receptor binding in the vitamin B-6 deficient rat brain

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Abstract

We have measured the postnatal development and GABA modulation of benzodiazepine receptors in neuronal membranes from vitamin B-6 deficient and normal rats. In rats fed vitamin B-6 adequate and deficient diets there were age-dependent changes in [3H]flunitrazepam binding site affinity and in the number of binding sites. Vitamin B-6 deficiency produced a significant reduction in the potency of GABA to enhance [3H]flunitrazepam binding to cortical membranes prepared from 14 day old rats. These results suggests an uncoupling of the GABAa/benzodiazepine receptor at a developmental period when the animals are most susceptible to spontaneous seizures.

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  1. Department of Environmental Health Sciences, The Johns Hopkins University, School of Hygiene and Public Health, 615 North Wolfe Street, Room 2001, 21205, Baltimore, Maryland

    Joann Pilachowski & Tomás R. Guilarte

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  1. Joann Pilachowski
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  2. Tomás R. Guilarte
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Pilachowski, J., Guilarte, T.R. Postnatal development and GABA allosteric modulation of benzodiazepine receptor binding in the vitamin B-6 deficient rat brain. Neurochem Res 18, 1249–1254 (1993). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00975043

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