Effects of bilateral injection of GABA into the substantia nigra on spontaneous behavior and measures of analgesia

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

1-1-1988

Abstract

Bilateral injection of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA, 10-300 μg) into the substantia nigra (pars reticulata) of rats produced stereotyped sniffing and had an analgesic-like effect on the hot-plate but not on the tail-flick test. These effects of GABA (30 μg) were suppressed by simultaneous administration of a sub-convulsant dose of bicuculline methiodide (100 ng). Significant increases in locomotion occurred when GABA (300 μg) was injected along with the inhibitor of GABA-transaminase, d,l/-gamma-vinyl-GABA (GVG; 5 μg) and the inhibitor of the uptake of GABA, 1-2,4-diaminobutyric acid (DABA; 5 μg). No other behavioral effects were observed following injection of GABA into the nigra, either alone or in combination with GVG and DABA. Bilateral injection of bicuculline (100-600 ng) into the nigra had strong convulsant actions. When injected simultaneously with bicuculline, GABA reduced bicuculline-induced seizures. These results are discussed in terms of their relevance to understanding the mechanisms that underlie the behavioral effects produced by injection of muscimol into the nigra. © 1988.

Publication Source (Journal or Book title)

Neuropharmacology

First Page

817

Last Page

821

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