A change in the density of [3H]flumazenil, but not [3H]muscimol binding, in Brodmann's Area 9 from subjects with bipolar disorder

Abstract

Background: This study examines the hypothesis that there are changes in cortical serotonergic, GABAergic and glutamatergic systems in bipolar disorder and schizophrenia. Methods: In situ radioligand binding and autoradiography were used to measure neurochemical markers in Brodmann's Area (BA) 9 from control subjects and subjects with bipolar disorder or schizophrenia (n=8 per group). Results: Compared to tissue from schizophrenic (mean±S.E.M, 385±44 fmol/mg ETE) and control (383±44 fmol/mg ETE) subjects, there was an increase in the density of [3H]flumazenil binding to the benzodiazepine binding site on the GABAA receptor in subjects with bipolar disorder (451±17 fmol/mg ETE; P<0.05). There..