Evidence for the involvement of nigral GABA_B receptors in seizures of rat pups

The substantia nigra GABA-sensitive system is important for the modification of seizures. In adult rats, nigral infusions of baclofen (GABA_B agonist) had no effect on flurothyl seizures. This suggests that the nigral GABA_B receptor system may not be involved in the mediation of flurothyl seizures in this age group. The present study examines whether the nigral GABA_B receptor is involved in the modification of flurothyl seizures in rat pups and whether systemic infusions of baclofen could alter their seizure susceptibility. Baclofen (50-200 ng/0.25 μl) was intranigrally administered to 16-day-old rat pups which were then exposed to flurothyl seizures. Results indicated that intranigral infusions of baclofen (100 and 200 ng/0.25 μl) protected the rat pups against seizures. Systemic injections of baclofen also protected pups from flurothyl seizures suggesting that it may be worthwhile to examine baclofen as a potential antiepileptic drug in children.