RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Comparison of the effects of diphenylbarbituric acid, phenobarbital, pentobarbital and secobarbital on GABA-mediated inhibition and benzodiazepine binding.
JF Journal of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics
JO J Pharmacol Exp Ther
FD American Society for Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics
SP 127
OP 133
VO 232
IS 1
A1 Iadarola, M J
A1 Fanelli, R J
A1 McNamara, J O
A1 Wilson, W A
YR 1985
UL http://jpet.aspetjournals.org/content/232/1/127.abstract
AB We utilized biochemical and electrophysiological methods to compare the effects of anesthetic and anticonvulsant barbiturates on gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) receptor-coupled responses. Biochemical analysis involved barbiturate regulation of the affinity of a radiolabeled benzodiazepine for benzodiazepine receptors. The electrophysiological method involved regulation of somatic recurrent inhibition of CA1 pyramidal cells in the hippocampal slice preparation. We found that anesthetic (secobarbital and pentobarbital) but not anticonvulsant (phenobarbital and diphenylbarbituric acid) barbiturates significantly enhanced GABA receptor-coupled responses in both the biochemical and electrophysiological preparations. The results indicate that the anticonvulsant actions of barbiturates may not depend on their ability to enhance GABAergic neuronal activity.