Failure of increased brain gamma-aminobutyric acid levels to influence amphetamine-induced stereotyped behavior.

Increased brain gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) levels secondary to the administration of sodium valproate failed to inhibit amphetamine-induced stereotyped behavior. This observation raises some doubt as to whether GABA plays a role in the physiology of the striatum and suggests that GABA does not play a role in the pathophysiology of chorea. If this is true, pharmacologic attempts to increase brain GABA may not improve human choreatic disorders.