GABAB binding sites in early adult and aging rat brain

The effect of aging on GABAB binding was investigated in rat brain. Receptor autoradiography was used to investigate both GABAB and GABAA binding at 2 months, 3 months, 13 months, and 23 months. GABAB binding decreases significantly between 2 months and 23 months of age, as does GABAA binding, with was investigated in rat brain. Receptor autoradiography was used to investigate both GABAB and GABAA binding at 2 months, 3 months, 13 months, and 23 months. GABAB binding decreases significantly between 2 months and 23 months of age, as does GABAA binding, with the greatest decrease between 2 and 3 months. The decrease in GABAB binding appears to be due to a decrease in binding site affinity rather than a decrease in receptor density. The noncompetitive GABAB antagonist zinc, the competitive GABAB antagonist CGP 35348, and the guanyl nucleotide analogue GTP-gamma-S all inhibit GABAB binding identically in 2 month and 23 month brain. These data indicate subtle age-related changes in the GABAB binding in early adult life but little change with senescence.