Downregulation of GABA Receptor Protein Subunits α6, β2, δ, ε, γ2, θ, and ρ2 in Superior Frontal Cortex of Subjects with Autism.

We measured protein and mRNA levels for nine gamma-aminobutyric acid A (GABA) receptor subunits in three brain regions (cerebellum, superior frontal cortex, and parietal cortex) in subjects with autism versus matched controls. We observed changes in mRNA for a number of GABA and GABA subunits and overall reduced protein expression for GABA receptor alpha 6 (GABRα6), GABA receptor beta 2 (GABRβ2), GABA receptor delta (GABRδ), GABA receptor epsilon (GABRε), GABA receptor gamma 2 (GABRγ2), GABA receptor theta (GABRθ), and GABA receptor rho 2 (GABRρ2) in superior frontal cortex from subjects with autism. Our data demonstrate systematic changes in GABA subunit expression in brains of subjects with autism, which may help explain the presence of cognitive abnormalities in subjects with autism. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]