The purpose of this study was to examine the expression of GABAergic proteins in Fmr1 knockout mice during brain maturation and to assess behavioural changes potentially linked to perturbations in the GABAergic system. Quantitative western blotting of the forebrain revealed that compared to wild-type mice, the GABA A receptor α1, β2, and δ subunits, and the GABA catabolic enzymes GABA transaminase and SSADH were down-regulated during postnatal development, while GAD65 was up-regulated in the adult knockout mouse forebrain. In tests of locomotor activity, the suppressive effect on motor activity of the GABA A β2/3 subunit-selective drug loreclezole was impaired in the mutant mice. In addition, sleep time induced by the GABA A β2/3-selective anaesthetic drug etomidate was decreased in the knockout mice. Our results indicate that disruptions in the GABAergic system in the developing brain may result in behavioural consequences in adults with fragile X syndrome.iii
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.