Suppression of In Vitro Epileptiform Activity by GABA Transaminase Inhibition Is Dependent on GABA_B Receptors and...

Many antiepileptic drugs act by modulation of ionotropic GABA_A receptors or effects on extracellular GABA concentrations. Metabotropic GABA_B receptors also affect neuronal excitability but are not recognized as a target of antiepileptic drugs. We investigated effects of GABA_B receptors and antiepileptic drug vigabatrin on epileptiform discharges induced by 4-aminopyridine (4AP) in hippocampal brain slices from male mice. The GABA_B receptor agonist baclofen caused dose-dependent reduction in frequency of 4AP-induced epileptiform discharges but did not affect amplitude or duration of discharges. The inhibitory effects of baclofen were blocked by GABA_B receptor antagonist CGP55845 (CGP) and the K⁺ channel blocker Ba²⁺, indicating that baclofen was acting on GABA_B receptors and activating GIRK channels. Baclofen effects were independent of GABA_A receptors. Vigabatrin inhibits GABA transaminase, thereby increasing GABA concentrations. Pretreatment of brain slices with vigabatrin suppressed 4AP-induced discharges, significantly prolonging the latency to onset of spontaneous activity and reducing frequency of discharges. Similar to baclofen, vigabatrin effects on latency and frequency were reversed by GABA_B antagonist CGP and the GIRK channel blocker Ba²⁺ Vigabatrin had no effect on 4AP-induced activity in GABA transporter type 1 knock-out mice (GAT1KO), suggesting that vigabatrin effects are dependent on GAT1 function. Our results indicate for the first time that a clinically used antiepileptic drug (vigabatrin) suppresses in vitro epileptiform activity via activation of GABA_B receptors and GIRK channels. Data are consistent with a model that depicts altered thermodynamic equilibrium of GAT1 after GABA transaminase inhibition that leads to elevated extracellular GABA concentration and activation of GABA_B receptors.