Neuroadaptations of presynaptic and postsynaptic GABA_B receptor function in the paraventricular nucleus in response to chronic unpredictable stress.

ABSTRACT:

Background and purpose

Chronic stress impairs GABA_A (GABA type A) receptor-mediated inhibition in the hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus (PVN). It is not clear whether GABA_B receptor function is also altered. We hypothesize that chronic stress alters GABA_B receptor function in PVN corticotrophin-releasing hormone (CRH) neurons to control hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal axis activity.

Experimental approach

Whole-cell patch clamp recordings were made of PVN-CRH neurons expressing eGFP driven by CRH promoter in brain slices from unstressed rats and rats exposed to chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS).

Key results

CUMS elevated the basal circulating corticosterone levels and increased the basal firing activity of PVN-CRH neurons. Micr

SUBMITTER: Gao Y 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5554316 | biostudies-literature | 2017 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature