The reduction in paired-pulse inhibition in the rat hippocampus by gabapentin is independent of GABA(B) receptor activation Article

Stringer, JL, Lorenzo, N. (1999). The reduction in paired-pulse inhibition in the rat hippocampus by gabapentin is independent of GABA(B) receptor activation . EPILEPSY RESEARCH, 33(2-3), 169-176. 10.1016/S0920-1211(98)00083-7

cited authors

  • Stringer, JL; Lorenzo, N

authors

abstract

  • Previously we have shown that gabapentin causes a reduction of paired- pulse inhibition in the dentate gyrus of the urethane-anesthetized rat, which looks very much like the effect of baclofen on paired-pulse inhibition. In addition, it has been proposed that gabapentin increases release of GABA from non-vesicular stores and may, therefore, interact with GABA(B) mechanisms. Here we tested the ability of a GABA(B) agonist, baclofen, and a GABA(B) antagonist, CGP35348, to block the effect of gabapentin on paired-pulse inhibition in the dentate gyrus in urethane-anesthetized adult Sprague- Dawley rats. Both baclofen (6 mg/kg) and gabapentin (100 mg/kg) caused a long-lasting reduction of paired-pulse inhibition in the dentate gyrus when given alone or in combination. CGP35348 (45 mg/kg) blocked the effect of baclofen on paired-pulse inhibition, but did not alter the effect of gabapentin. Gabapentin also caused a reduction of inhibition in the CAI region, indicating that its effect is not specific for the dentate gyrus. These results suggest that gabapentin produces its effect on paired-pulse inhibition independent from the effect of baclofen and not through non- vesicular release of GABA interacting with the GABA(B) receptor system.

publication date

  • February 1, 1999

published in

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

start page

  • 169

end page

  • 176

volume

  • 33

issue

  • 2-3