Escape behavior produced by the blockade of glutamic acid decarboxylase (GAD) in mesencephalic central gray or medial hypothalamus

Pharmacol Biochem Behav. 1986 Mar;24(3):497-501. doi: 10.1016/0091-3057(86)90547-2.

Abstract

Microinjections into the mesencephalic central gray (CG) or the medial hypothalamus (MH) of three drugs (L-allylglycine, Semicarbazide or 4,5 dihydroxy-isophtalic acid) known to block glutamic acid decarboxylase (GAD) produced a dose-dependent behavioral activation accompanied by jumps. These effects are qualitatively similar to those produced by microinjections of SR 95103 (a GABA-A receptor antagonist) at the same site. These findings suggest that, at both the level of the CG and the MH, gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) tonically inhibits a neuronal substrate involved in the generation of flight reactions.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Allylglycine / pharmacology
  • Animals
  • Avoidance Learning / drug effects*
  • Behavior, Animal / drug effects
  • Glutamate Decarboxylase / antagonists & inhibitors*
  • Hypothalamus, Middle / enzymology*
  • Male
  • Mesencephalon / enzymology*
  • Phthalic Acids / pharmacology
  • Pyridazines / pharmacology
  • Rats
  • Rats, Inbred Strains
  • Semicarbazides / pharmacology
  • Time Factors

Substances

  • Phthalic Acids
  • Pyridazines
  • Semicarbazides
  • Allylglycine
  • 4,5-dihydroxyisophthalic acid
  • 2-(carboxy-3'-propyl)-3-amino-4-methyl-6-phenylpyridazinium chloride
  • Glutamate Decarboxylase