Neurochemical determination of the location of NMDA and GABA receptors on rat striatal cholinergic neurons

Abstract This paper reports on the protocol for neurochemical determination of the location of various receptors on cholinergic neurons in various brain regions. We applied this protocol to investigate whether NMDA and GABA receptors are located on rat striatal cholinergic neurons. When striatal cholinergic neurons were selectively destroyed by intrastriatal injection of cholinergic neurotoxin, ethylcholine mustard aziridinium ion (AF64A), the number of NMDA and GABA A receptors decreased. However, no significant changes were observed on the number of GABA B receptors. These results suggest that NMDA and GABA A , but not GABA B receptors are located on cholinergic neurons in the striatum. These results also indicate the usefulness and scientific applicability of the present protocol. Themes: Neurotransmitters, modulators, transporters, and receptors Topics: Regional localization of receptors and transmitters