Delayed upregulation of GABA(A) alpha1 receptor subunit mRNA in somatosensory cortex of mice following learning-dependent plasticity of cortical representations.
Experience-dependent modifications of cortical representational maps are accompanied by changes in several components of GABAergic inhibitory neurotransmission system. We examined with in situ hybridization to 35S-labeled oligoprobe changes of expression of GABA(A) receptor alpha1 subunit mRNA in the barrel cortex of mice after sensory conditioning training. One day and 5 days after the end of short lasting (3 daily sessions) training an increased expression of GABA(A) alpha1 mRNA was observed at the cortical site where the plastic changes were previously found. Learning associated activation of the cerebral cortex increases expression of GABA(A) receptor mRNA after a short post-training delays.