Cited by 439Autism Spectrum Disorder ResearchNeuroscience and Neuropharmacology ResearchGenetics and Neurodevelopmental Disorders

GABAA Receptor Downregulation in Brains of Subjects with Autism

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Fatemi, S. Hossein, Reutiman, Teri J., Folsom, Timothy D., Thuras, Paul D.·2009·Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders

Abstract

Gamma-aminobutyric acid A (GABA(A)) receptors are ligand-gated ion channels responsible for mediation of fast inhibitory action of GABA in the brain. Preliminary reports have demonstrated altered expression of GABA receptors in the brains of subjects with autism suggesting GABA/glutamate system dysregulation. We investigated the expression of four GABA(A) receptor subunits and observed significant reductions in GABRA1, GABRA2, GABRA3, and GABRB3 in parietal cortex (Brodmann's Area 40 (BA40)), while GABRA1 and GABRB3 were significantly altered in cerebellum, and GABRA1 was significantly altered in superior frontal cortex (BA9). The presence of seizure disorder did not have a significant impact on GABA(A) receptor subunit expression in the three brain areas. Our results demonstrate that GABA(A) receptors are reduced in three brain regions that have previously been implicated in the pathogenesis of autism, suggesting widespread GABAergic dysfunction in the brains of subjects with autism.

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  1. Bauman ML Kemper TL Bauman MM Kemper T Neuroanatomic observations of the brain in autism. The neurobiology of autism 1994 19 145 Johns Hopkins University Press Baltimore, MD
  2. Bauman ML Kemper TL Bauman M Kemper T Structural Brain Anatomy in Autism: What is the Evidence? The neurobiology of autism 2005 121 135 Johns Hopkins University Press Baltimore, MD

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Authors
Fatemi, S. H., Reutiman, T. J., Folsom, T. D., & Thuras, P. D.
Affiliations
University of Minnesota (US)
Corresponding author
Fatemi, S. Hossein
Venue
Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders
Published
2008-09-23
Volume
39
Issue
2
Pages
223-230
ISSN
  • 0162-3257 (ISSN-L)
  • 1573-3432
OpenAlex
W2035027696
Cited by
439
References
52
Citations by year
2026: 15 · 2025: 11 · 2024: 14 · 2023: 24 · 2022: 26 · 2021: 26 · 2020: 26 · 2019: 27 · 2018: 21 · 2017: 30 · 2016: 26 · 2015: 30 · 2014: 37 · 2013: 35 · 2012: 29
FWCI
10.71
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed Central (acceptedVersion)
Funders
  • National Parkinson Foundation
  • National Institutes of Health
  • National Institute of Mental Health (R24MH068855)
  • Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (R01HD052074)
Topics
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cognitive Neuroscience › Autism Spectrum Disorder Research
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience › Neuroscience and Neuropharmacology Research
  • Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Genetics › Genetics and Neurodevelopmental Disorders
Keywords
GABAA receptor, receptor subunit expression, autism spectrum disorder, GABRA1, GABRA2, GABRA3, GABRB3, GABAergic dysfunction, parietal cortex, cerebellum, superior frontal cortex, epilepsy
MeSH terms
Adult, Autistic Disorder, Brain, Cerebellum, Electrophoresis, Polyacrylamide Gel, Epilepsy, Female, Frontal Lobe, Humans, Male, Middle Aged, Parietal Lobe, Postmortem Changes, Receptors, GABA-A, Blotting, Western, Down-Regulation, Young Adult

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