Functional state of GABA-ergic system in spontaneously hypertensive rats.

The concentration of GABA in the whole brain and hypothalamus of spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) was significantly lower than in normotensive rats (NR). The ivc injections of GABA offered less protection against electrogenic convulsions in SHR than in NR. These results suggest that lower concentration of GABA in the CNS of SHR may be one of factors responsible for different behavior of SHR and their altered responsiveness to psychotropic drugs.