BENZO DIAZEPINE AND GABA RECEPTORS IN THE RAT RETINA EFFECT OF LIGHT AND DARK ADAPTATION

Benzodiazepine and GABA receptors in the rat retina are influenced by environmental lighting. In dark-adapted animals, the affinities of [3H]GABA and [3H]diazepam for their specific binding sites are markedly higher than in light-adapted rats. No differences were found in the maximal number of binding sites (Bmax) between dark- and light-adapted rats. GABA and benzodiazepine receptors are apparently involved in the physiological mechanisms of vision.