Effects of gabaculine,a new potent inhibitor of gamma-aminobutyrate transaminase,on the brain gamma-aminobutyrate content and convulsions in mice

Effects of gabaculine (5-amino cyclohexa-1,3-dienyl carboxylic acid), a new potent inhibitor of gamma-aminobutyrate (GABA) transaminase, on the brain GABA content and convulsions were studied in mice. Gabaculine (0.12–2.0 ug) injected intraventricularly elevated brain GABA content for a long period. Three hrs after treatment with gabaculine, picrotoxin- and thiosemicarbazide-induced convulsions were prevented, but not electroschock-induced convulsions.Intraperitoneal injection of gabaculine also increased brain GABA content.Thus gabaculine seems to be a useful tool for investigating the GABA function in the brain.