Downregulation of GABA^sub A^ Receptor Protein Subunits [alpha]6, [beta]2, [delta], [epsilon], [gamma]2, [theta], and [rho]2 in Superior Frontal Cortex of Subjects with Autism

We measured protein and mRNA levels for nine gamma-aminobutyric acid A (GABA^sub 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^sub A^ and GABA^sub B^ subunits and overall reduced protein expression for GABA^sub A^ receptor alpha 6 (GABR[alpha]6), GABA^sub A^ receptor beta 2 (GABR[beta]2), GABA^sub A^ receptor delta (GABRδ), GABA^sub A^ receptor epsilon (GABR[straight epsilon]), GABA^sub A^ receptor gamma 2 (GABRγ2), GABA^sub A^ receptor theta (GABR[theta]), and GABA^sub A^ receptor rho 2 (GABR[rho]2) in superior frontal cortex from subjects with autism. Our data demonstrate systematic changes in GABA^sub A&B^ subunit expression in brains of subjects with autism, which may help explain the presence of cognitive abnormalities in subjects with autism.[PUBLICATION ABSTRACT]