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Autoradiographic localization of gamma-aminobutyric acidA receptors within the ventral tegmental area
L Churchill1, R P Dilts, P W Kalivas
1Department of Veterinary and Comparative Anatomy, Washington State University, Pullman 99164-6520.
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.