GABA involvement in memory consolidation: evidence from posttrial amino-oxyacetic acid

In order to assess the possible effects of central GABA activation on the consolidation of shock avoidance, the GABA-T inhibitor amino-oxyacetic acid (AOAA) was administered posttrial to adult male rats. Learning was assessed over nine widely spaced sessions of 20 trials each. AOAA-treated animals showed learning within sessions and a lack of consolidation across sessions. Controls, on the other hand, showed learning both within and across sessions. This evidence agrees with previous reports suggesting GABA involvement in memory processes.