Effects of modulators at different subtypes of GABAA receptors on LTD-like plasticity in human motor cortex

Aims: Human cortical plasticity is significantly controlled by GABAAergic neurotransmission. However, it is not clear which specific subtypes of GABAA receptors mediate this effect. Here, we tested the effects of modulators at different subtypes of GABAA receptors on long-term depression (LTD)-like plasticity in human motor cortex. Methods: Ten healthy subjects participated in this pharmacological placebo-controlled double-blind randomized crossover study. Subjects were given either a single oral dose of the benzodiazepine alprazolam (ALP, 1mg), the non-benzodiazepine hypnotic zolpidem (ZOL, 10mg), two different…