Daily rhythms of benzodiazepine receptor numbers in frontal lobe and cerebellum of the rat

Journal Article · Mon Jun 17 00:00:00 EDT 1985 · Life Sci.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/0024-3205(85)90323-6· OSTI ID:5484029

Brennan, M J.W.; Volicer, L; Moore-Ede, M C; Borsook, D

Behavioral, biochemical and neurophysiological evidence suggests that gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) may play an important role in the neural control of circadian rhythms. Central receptors for benzodiazepines are functionally coupled to GABA receptors and appear to mediate behavioral effects of exogenous benzodiazepines. The binding of /sup 3/H-flunitrazepam to synaptic plasma membranes prepared from various regions of rat brain was examined at 6-hour intervals over a 36-hour period. Prominent daily rhythms in receptor number (Bmax) were observed in the frontal lobe and the cerebellum but not in the temporoparietal regions, hypothalamus or medulla/pons. Binding was highest during periods of sleep/low activity with a significant decrease occurring just prior to waking. These results suggest that daily fluctuations in benzodiazepine receptor numbers may be related to the temporal control of sleep/wake and muscle activity cycles. 23 references, 1 figure, 1 table.

• Research Organization: Boston City Hospital, MA
• OSTI ID: 5484029
• Journal Information: Life Sci.; (United States), Vol. 36:24
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
TRANQUILIZERS
CHEMICAL BONDS
RECEPTORS
AMINOBUTYRIC ACID
BEHAVIOR
BIOCHEMISTRY
BRAIN
CELL MEMBRANES
DAILY VARIATIONS
MUSCLES
RATS
TRITIUM COMPOUNDS
AMINO ACIDS
ANIMALS
AUTONOMIC NERVOUS SYSTEM AGENTS
BODY
CARBOXYLIC ACIDS
CELL CONSTITUENTS
CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM
CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM AGENTS
CHEMISTRY
DRUGS
LABELLED COMPOUNDS
MAMMALS
MEMBRANES
NERVOUS SYSTEM
NEUROREGULATORS
ORGANIC ACIDS
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
ORGANS
PSYCHOTROPIC DRUGS
RODENTS
VARIATIONS
VERTEBRATES
550201* - Biochemistry- Tracer Techniques