Differential spatiotemporal alterations in adrenoceptor mRNAs and binding sites in cerebral cortex following spreading depression: Selective and prolonged up-regulation of α(1B)-adrenoceptors

Abstract

Noradrenaline, an important transmitter in the CNS, is involved in cerebral plasticity and functional recovery after injury. Experimental brain injury, including KC1 application onto the brain surface, induces a slow- moving cortical depolarization/depression wave called cortical spreading depression (CSD). Interestingly, CSD does not produce neuronal damage but can protect cortical neurons against subsequent neurotoxic insults, although the mechanisms involved are unknown. This study examined the status of α- and β-adrenoceptors (ARs) in cerebral cortex following CSD. Anesthetized rats had unilateral CSD induced by a 10-min topical application of KCl to the frontoparietal cortex and were ki..