Chronic exposure to a benzodiazepine partial agonist does not alter GABAA receptor function in cultured neurons

The benzodiazepine partial agonist Ro16-6028 does not lead to GABAA receptor downregulation in vivo. To assess effects of this compound in vitro, cultured neurons were exposed to Ro16-6028, 1 and 10 microM. GABA-dependent chloride uptake was unaffected at either dose of Ro16-6028 from 2 to 10 days, in contrast to decreased function observed with clonazepam, 1 microM, at 10 days, Ro16-6028 exposure did not alter GABA-independent chloride uptake, total neuronal protein, or cellular protein synthesis.