Heterogeneous depression of glucose utilization in the caudate nucleus by GABA agonists

Local cerebral glucose utilization in the rat caudate nucleus has been examined following the intravenous administration of the GABA agonists muscimol and THIP. Although glucose utilization was reduced throughout the striatum following GABA agonists, the magnitude of the reductions in the lateral portion of the nucleus were markedly greater than in other portions of the caudate nucleus. This medial--lateral heterogeneity in response to GABA agonists contrasts with the known rostral--caudal heterogeneity in the distribution of biochemical markers for GABA.