GABA_A receptor subunit and GAD mRNA levels in the perifornical (PF) and dorsomedial (DM) regions of the posterior hypothalamus in relation to sleep need and circadian time.

<p>Quantification was conducted using tissue micropunches extracted from the two regions from animals sacrificed at 9–4 pm following undisturbed sleep, and at 3–4 pm following sleep deprivation (SD). Significant differences between the 9 am and 3–4 pm groups that were not modified by SD were detected for the α2 and α3 subunits of GABA_A receptor and for the GAD65 isoform in both regions, and for the α1 subunit in the DM region. When the effects of time of the day were not altered by SD, they were categorized as circadian-dependent. In contrast, mRNA levels for β1, β3 and ε subunits of the GABA_A receptor, did not differ between 9 am and 3–4 pm groups, but were significantly increased in the 3–4 pm group subjected to SD. Such sleep need-dependent changes occurred in the PF region only. N = 6–8 rats per group.