Elsevier

Life Sciences

Volume 27, Issue 12, 22 September 1980, Pages 1035-1040
Life Sciences

Ethanol and other CNS depressants decrease GABA synthesis in mouse cerebral cortex and cerebellum in vivo

https://doi.org/10.1016/0024-3205(80)90026-0Get rights and content

Abstract

GABA synthesis in mouse brain in vivo was estimated by measuring the rate of GABA accumulation one hour after inhibition of GABA degradation using the selective and irreversible antagonism of GABA-transaminase by gabaculine. Using this method we found that acute and repeated ethanol administration lead to a potent depression of gabaculine induced enhancement of GABA levels in mouse brain cerebellum and cerebral cortex. Alcohol, in the absence of gabaculine had no effect on steady state GABA levels. These results demonstrate potent effects of ethanol on the dynamics of GABA metabolism which are compatible with a GABA like effect of ethanol.

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