Cerebral Glutamic Acid Decarboxylase Activity and γ-Aminobutyric Acid Concentrations in Mice Susceptible or Resistant to Audiogenic Seizures |
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Authors: | C C Sykes R W Horton |
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Institution: | Department of Pharmacology, St. George's Hospital Medical School, London, U.K. |
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Abstract: | Abstract: DBA/2 mice between 21 and 28 days of age are highly susceptible to sound-induced seizures. Drug studies suggest a possible deficit of γ-Aminobutyric acid (GABA)-mediated neurotransmission may be involved. We have measured the whole brain GABA concentration and glutamic acid decar-boxylase activity in DBA/2 mice at various ages before, during, and after the period of maximal susceptibility to audiogenic seizures. Corresponding determinations were carried out on age-matched TO mice, a strain much less susceptible to audiogenic seizures than DBA/2 mice at all ages. No significant differences in GABA concentration or glutamic acid decarboxylase activity were found between strains at any age. The susceptibility of DBA/2 mice to audiogenic seizures does not result from a gross inability to synthesise or store GABA. |
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Keywords: | γ-Aminobutyric acid Glutamic acid decarboxylase activity DBA/2 mice Audiogenic seizures |
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