Targeting GABAC Receptors Improves Post-Stroke Motor Recovery

Ischemic stroke remains a leading cause of disability worldwide, with limited treatment options available. This study investigates GABAC receptors as novel pharmacological targets for stroke recovery. The expression of r1 and r2 mRNA in mice were determined in peri-infarct tissue following photothrombotic motor cortex stroke. (R)-4-amino-cyclopent-1-enyl butylphosphinic acid (R)-4-ACPBPA and (S)-4-ACPBPA were assessed using 2-elecotrode voltage electrophysiology in Xenopus laevis oocytes. Stroke mice were treated for 4 weeks with either vehicle, the α5-selective negative allosteric modulator, L655,708, or the r1/2 antagonists, (R)-4-ACPBPA and (S)-4-ACPBPA respectively from 3 days post-stroke. Infarct size and expression levels of GAT3 and reactive astrogliosis were determined using histochemistry and immunohistochemistry respectively, and motor function was assessed using both the grid-walking and cylinder tasks. After stroke, significant increases in r1 and r2 mRNAs were observed on day 3, with r2 showing a further increase on day 7. (R)- and (S)-4-ACPBPA are both potent antagonists at r2 and only weak inhibitors of α5β2γ2 receptors. Treatment with either L655,708, (S)-4-ACPBPA (r1/2 antagonist; 5 mM only), or (R)-4-ACPBPA (r2 antagonist; 2.5 and 5 mM) from 3 days after stroke resulted in a significant improvement in motor recovery on the grid-walking task, with L655,708 and (R)-4-ACPBPA also showing an improvement in the cylinder task. Infarct size was unaffected, and only (R)-4-ACPBPA significantly increased peri-infarct GAT3 expression and decreased the level of reactive astrogliosis. Importantly, inhibiting GABAC receptors affords significant improvement in motor function after stroke. Targeting the r-subunit could provide a novel delayed treatment option for stroke recovery.