Effects of pentobarbitone on the synaptically evoked release of the amino acid neurotransmitter candidates aspartate and GABA from rat olfactory cortex.

1. In the rat olfactory cortex slice, sub-anaesthetic concentrations of pentobarbitone reduce the amplitude of the N-wave with a concomitant reduction in the release of the excitatory transmitter aspartate. The pentobarbitone induced potentiation of the GABA-mediated I-wave is accompanied by increased GABA release. Although the changes in transmitter release and evoked electrical activity are consistent, there is only circumstantial evidence that the phenomena are related. 2. Pentobarbitone also reduced release of taurine although the significance (if any) of this finding is obscure. 3. The results are discussed in terms of the mechanisms by which pentobarbitone induces the changes in amino acid release.