Different postischemic protein expression of the GABA_{A} receptor α2 subunit and the plasticity-associated protein MAP1B after treatment with BDNF versus G-CSF in the rat brain

Purpose Recent data indicate that both brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and granulocyte-colony stimulating factor (G-CSF) exert substantial neuroregenerative effects and improve functional outcome after ischemic stroke. In the present study, we checked for potential differences in the postischemic modulation of various excitatory and inhibitory neurotransmitter receptors as well as various marker molecules for structural plasticity by BDNF versus G-CSF. Methods Adult male Wistar rats were subjected to photothrombotic ischemia and subsequently treated with NaCl, BDNF or G-CSF, respectively. After 6 weeks, postischemic protein expression of the NR1, GluR1 and alpha2 subunit of the NMD…