Gaba stimulation of 3H-diazepam binding in aged mice

Specific ³H-diazepam binding to washed brain membranes from C57BL/6 mice of different age groups (3, 6, 12, 24 and 36 months) was studied in the absence and presence of 30 μM GABA. GABA treatment was found to be effective in decreasing the K_D of ³H-diazepam binding of approximately 50% in all age groups tested (mean control K_D = 6.5 nM, mean GABA-treated K_D = 3.2 nM). No significant changes with age were observed in benzodiazepine receptor K_D or B_max in the presence or absence of GABA.