A microdialysis study on the mechanism of action of gabapentin

To gain insight into the mechanism of action of the anti-epileptic, gabapen tin, the effects of gabapentin on the in vivo extracellular gamma-aminobuty lic acid (GABA) levels in the rat substantia nigra reticulata were studied using microdialysis. In order to investigate possible interference with dif ferent GABA-ergic compartments in the substantia nigra reticulata, we studi ed the effects of gabapentin under basal, K+-, nipecotic acid- and glutamat e-stimulated conditions. Intraperitoneally (i.p.) administered gabapentin, at a dose of 100 mg/kg, did not significantly affect extracellular GABA lev els under any condition. Thus, our data do not support the involvement of n igral GABA release in the mechanism of action of the anti-epileptic gabapen tin. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.