Effects of GABA-transporter (GAT) inhibitors on rat behaviour in open-field and elevated plus-maze
- 1 March 1999
- journal article
- research article
- Published by Wolters Kluwer Health in Behavioural Pharmacology
- Vol. 10 (2) , 131-137
- https://doi.org/10.1097/00008877-199903000-00002
Abstract
The behavioural consequences of inhibition of γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) uptake were studied. Two GABA uptake inhibitors, tiagabine and SKF 89976-A, were administered to rats, and behaviour was analysed 30 min later in a standard open field, an enriched open field, and an elevated plus-maze. Eight groups of animals received either saline (0.9%), tiagabine, or SKF 89976-A. At a dose of 18.5 mg/kg, tiagabine, an established antiseizure drug, impaired motor coordination, enhanced exploratory activity and reduced anxiety related behaviour. SKF 89976-A exhibited minimal effects over the dose range tested. These results indicate that inhibition of GABA uptake might be a pharmacological strategy to treat not only epilepsy, but also anxiety disorders.Keywords
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