GABAA receptor subunit-related neuroanatomical substrates for attenuation of anxiety
Year: 2015
Type: dissertation
Abstract: GABAergic inhibition is crucial for regulation of neuronal excitability and hence for optimal function of the nervous system. The GABAA receptor forms a pentameric ligand-gated anion channel. The subunit combinations of the receptors define their pharmacological and electrophysiological properties. The individual subunits display a distinct but often widespread distribution throughout the nervous system. GABAA receptor-mediated inhibition can be divided to fast and transient synaptic inhibition and to background (tonic) inhibition that is mediated by extrasynaptic GABAA receptors. The synaptic inhibition regulates the rhythmic activities in neuronal networks. Benzodiazepines, interacting with an allosteric binding site of GABAA receptors typically concentrated at synaptic locations, are anxiolytic drugs, but their long-term use evokes severe side-effects. The functional role of extrasynaptic GABAA receptor-mediated inhibition is not yet well understood. Expanding the understanding of local role of GABAA receptors and neuronal circuits mediating anxiolysis is relevant for the development of more selective and safe treatment for anxiety disorders. Studying the properties of extrasynaptic GABAA receptors may help to understand their physiological relevance and role in psychiatric and neurological disorders. The main objectives of this thesis were to study the local expression of benzodiazepine-sensitive GABAA receptors in human locus coeruleus (LC), the pharmacology of extrasynaptic GABAA receptors in vivo (in mice) and in vitro and the brain structures mediating acute anxiolytic responses in a transgenic mouse model as a consequence of enhanced tonic inhibition in specific forebrain structures. Firstly, the present in situ hybridization and receptor autoradiography studies in human LC revealed benzodiazepine binding sites indicating that LC may directly mediate the sedative and/or anxiolytic effects of benzodiazepines in humans. Previously, contradictory reports had been published in regard to the benzodiazepine binding sites in the rodent LC suggesting a potential species difference in the direct sites of action of benzodiazepines. Secondly, the behavioral tests showed that gaboxadol, a GABA site agonist, acts preferentially via extrasynaptic α6β/γ2 receptors in vivo as the transgenic mice overexpressing these receptors were significantly more sensitive to the anxiolytic and hypnotic effects of gaboxadol than the wild-type mice. Electrophysiological recordings on recombinant receptors revealed that GABA is a partial agonist as compared to gaboxadol at α6β3, α6β3δ and α4β3δ receptors but not at α6β3γ2 receptors. Gaboxadol and GABA displayed also different receptor desensitization and deactivation kinetics on these receptors. Thirdly, by increasing tonic inhibition in specific forebrain structures, the anxiolytic dose of gaboxadol increased c-Fos expression in the transgenic mouse model especially in the limbic areas, such as the cingulate cortex, septal nuclei, central extended amygdala and basolateral nucleus of amygdala. In addition to demonstrating how neuronal excitability can be altered in different brain regions as a consequence of enhanced tonic inhibition, this result suggests that a widespread neuronal inhibition, as typically associated with benzodiazepines, may not be the exclusive mechanism of acute anxiolysis.
Source: Työväentutkimus Vuosikirja
Author: Kati Hellsten
Language: English
Subfield: Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience
Field: Neuroscience
Domain: Life Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W1887960786