The expression levels of genes encoding biosynthesis and transport of many neurotransmitters were altered, along with genes encoding their receptors (Table 1; Supplementary Table 1). Genes for the serotonin pathway were changed the most (Table 1), with 21 of 23 expressed genes showing decreased expression, including tryptophan hydroxylase, dopa decarboxylase, serotonin transporter Slc6a4, vesicular monoamine transporter Slc18a2 and organic ion transporter Slc22a3. Expression of genes for other neurotransmitter systems was also altered (Table 1). Among the 12 GABAA receptors expressed in the DRN, 8 were decreased and 2 were increased. GABA transporters Slc6a1 and Slc6a13 were also increased. The glutamate system showed decreases in many receptor genes, but large increases in the expression of Grin2c (2.6-fold), Grm1 (2.0-fold) and Grm4 (3.0-fold) as well as increases in glutamate transporters Slc1a6 and Slc1a3. Drd1a was decreased, as were the genes for synthesizing dopamine, the vesicular monoamine transporter VMAT2 (Slc18a2) and several protein phosphatases downstream of dopamine receptors.
