The distribution and function of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) in the superior colliculus

Laminer analysis of the distribution of GABA and GAD in the superior colliculus has shown that the distribution pattern of GABA within the SC is similar in rabbit, cat, and guinea pig. The highest levels of GABA were found in the superficial gray layer (SGL), averaging 37-40 mmol/kg dry weight. The GABA concentrations in the deep layers were each only half that of the levels in the SGL. The concentrations of both GABA and GAD in the upper half of SGL are the same as those in the substantia nigra and medial forebrain bundle which have the highest amounts of GABA in the CNS. Denervation studies of the fibers projecting to SGL suggest that the GABA concentrated in the SGL is intrinsic to the layer. The results obtained from immunohistochemical and electron microscopic studies on the localization of GABA neurons corresponds well with the regional distribution pattern of GABA and GAD reported here. However, pharmacological and electrophysiological studies do not necessarily accord well with the GABA distribution studies because they indicate that there are many GABA sensitive neurons in both the SGL and DGL. To investigate the role of GABA in the SGL, the effect of GABA and its agonists and antagonists on neurotransmission in SGL has been studied in SC slices in a perfusion system. Bath applied GABA (100 microM to 1 mM) enhanced the amplitude of postsynaptic field potentials (PSP) in SGL in a dose-dependent fashion and at concentrations above 1 mM it depressed the PSP in a dose-dependent fashion. A similar response pattern was obtained with muscimol (0.1-10 microM excitation; greater than 10 microM inhibition). However (-)-baclofen only inhibited the PSP. Bicuculline (1 microM) shifted the dose-response inhibitory curve of GABA to the right, while the excitatory effect was enhanced. These results indicate that GABA has an excitatory and inhibitory action on neurotransmission in the SGL. The nigro-tectal GABAergic fibers terminate in the intermediate and deep layers of SC. Inhibition of GABAergic activity in the SC causes irrepressible saccades made toward the center of the movement field while GABA activation delays and slows saccadic eye movements. Thus, GABA in the SC plays an important role in the control of eye movements. The same GABAergic projection is also related to the propagation of generalized seizures. There exist collicular neurons which suppress the propagation of seizures.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)