EFFECT OF GAMMA-AMINO BUTYRIC ACID (GABA) ON K42 OUTFLUX FROM RABBIT CORTEX

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Abstract
Measurement of K outflux from intact rabbit cortex was made possible by the use of a small (1 mm diameter) leak-proof plastic chamber resting on the surface of the intact rabbit cortex. Topical application of 0.1 [image] GABA produced an average maximum flux increase of 20% which lasted an average of 2.6 min. The total K released by 0.1 [image] GABA is about 1% of that lost during a spreading depression, suggesting that it is not a powerful depolarizing agent. Furthermore, 0.1 [image] GABA dies not produce a sustained change in K outflux, in contrast to procaine or sodium azide, which are known to affect membrane permeability. The findings presented suggest that GABA may participate in a physical interaction with the neuronal mambrane without actually affecting K permeability.