In vivo release of endogenous GABA in the cat hypothalamus

The posterior hypothalamus of anaesthetized cats was superfused with artificial cerebrospinal fluid through a push-pull cannula and the release of endogenous GABA from the hypothalamus into the superfusate was studied. The resting release of GABA varied rhythmically, since phases of high rate of release were separated from each other by phases of low rate of release. The time interval between two adjacent phases of high rate of release was about 70 min. Electrical stimulation of the posterior hypothalamus with the tip of the cannula enhanced the rate of release of GABA in a frequency-dependent way. Superfusion of the hypothalamus with CSF which contained a high concentration of potassium and a low concentration of sodium increased the rate of release of GABA; this effect was dependent on the presence of calcium ions in the superfusing fluid. Pretreatment of the cats with reserpine reduced the levels of GABA in hypothalamus and rest of brain and the concentration of GABA in the superfusate as well. Stimulation of the locus coeruleus with a bipolar electrode elicited an increased release of GABA in the hypothalamus.