the GABA increase takes place and (2) the area of the brain that may
mediate the anticonvulsant Investigation of the physiology,
biochemistry, activity. Three compounds that increase brain pharmacology
and anatomy of GAB A and GABA- GABA by distinct mechanisms were used in
these containing neural systems, continues to reveal the studies:
di-n-propylacetate (DPA, sodium val- rich complexities associated with
this neuroactive proate, Depakene(R)), amino-oxyacetic acid amino acid
(see recent symposia 1,2,3). Advances (AOAA) and y-vinyl GABA (GVG). in
the pharmacology of GABA-mimetic agents In the next sections, the
metabolism of GABA have resulted in the development of compounds and a
brief historical account of the relationship that can selectively
activate GABA receptors (4,5, between GABA and anticonvulsant activity
are 6, 7), inhibit the synthetic and degradative enzymes outlined
followed by a discussion ofthe biochemical for GABA (8, 9) or affect the
neuronal and glial and pharmacological effects of the three drugs. In
uptake processes for GABA (10, 11). This has particular, the literature
pertaining to the suppres- already had a significant impact on our
under- sion of seizures and the correlation between anti- standing of
the role of GABA in convulsions and a convulsant action and increases in
brain G ABA will range of other CNS functions including feeding be
examined. (12), cardiovascular control (13), motor activity (14) and
release of pituitary hormones (15). Before 1.
