Downregulation of GABA[Subscript A] Receptor Protein Subunits a6, ß2, d, e, ?2, ?, and ?2 in Superior Frontal Cortex of Subjects with Autism

We measured protein and mRNA levels for nine gamma-aminobutyric acid A (GABA[subscript A]) 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[subscript A] and GABA[subscript B] subunits and overall reduced protein expression for GABA[subscript A] receptor alpha 6 (GABRa6), GABA[subscript A] receptor beta 2 (GABRß2), GABA[subscript A] receptor delta (GABRd), GABA[subscript A] receptor epsilon (GABRe), GABA[subscript A] receptor gamma 2 (GABR?2), GABA[subscript A] receptor theta (GABR?), and GABA[subscript A] receptor rho 2 (GABR?2) in superior frontal cortex from subjects with autism. Our data demonstrate systematic changes in GABA[subscript A&B] subunit expression in brains of subjects with autism, which may help explain the presence of cognitive abnormalities in subjects with autism.