Inhibition of the rate of GABA synthesis in regions of rat brain following a convulsion

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Abstract
The rate of synthesis of γ‐aminobutyric acid (GABA) in the cortex, hippocampus and striatum of rat brain was assessed by measuring the linear rate of accumulation of GABA following injection of amino‐oxyacetic acid (AOAA). Five min after a single electrically induced seizure there was a rise in GABA content in these brain regions and an almost total inhibition of the rate of synthesis. Five min after seizure induced by the inhalant convulsant flurothyl there was no rise in GABA content in these brain regions but a similar marked degree of inhibition of GABA synthesis. Two hours after the convulsion the rate of GABA synthesis had returned to control values in all three brain regions. A single convulsion did not alter the glutamic acid decarboxylase activity in these brain regions either in the absence or presence of added co‐factor (pyridoxal phosphate). Evidence for an inhibition of GABA release following a convulsion which may be associated with the inhibition of GABA synthesis is presented in the following paper.