Sensory conditioning and sensory stimulation do not affect GABAA receptor binding in the barrel field of mice.

The whisker-to-barrel system of adult mice was used in a study on the effects of short-lasting tactile stimulation and sensory conditioning training on GABAA receptor binding in the barrel field of somatosensory cortex. In vitro receptor binding autoradiography was used to examine the pattern and intensity of [3H]muscimol binding to GABAA receptors. A well-defined pattern of GABAA receptors in the barrel field remained unaffected after both procedures used. Also, no differences in intensity of GABAA receptor binding were observed. These results suggest that GABAA receptors are not involved in the plastic changes developing during sensory conditioning training.