[Microionophoretic study of the mechanism of action of gamma-hydroxybutyrate].

The effect of gamma-hydroxybutyric acid (GHBA) on the extracellularly registered spontaneous electrical activity of nervous cells of the rabbit brain sensomotor cortex was studied using the microionophoretic technique. GHBA decreased the frequency of action potential in the majority of the neurons studied. A specific gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) blocking agent bicuculline prevented GBHA inhibitory effect. GHBA is suggested to interact with central GABA-receptors. The frequency of discharges increased in some neutrons due to GHBA, while GHBA prevented the development of GABA inhibitory effect. This is indicative of probable competitive relations between GHBA and GABA during their interaction with the same receptor. The conditions for the development of such relations are discussed.