Intravenous bicuculline test in mice: characterization with GABAergic drugs

The effects of GABAergic drugs having diverse modes of action were studied in the myoclonic seizure syndrome induced by intravenous bicuculline in mice. The elicited syndrome can be antagonized dose-dependently by GABA-agonists, by GABA-transaminase inhibitors, by GABA neuronal uptake inhibitors, and by benzodiazepines stereospecifically after appropriate premedication times and routes. This test is proposed as a useful in vivo test for examination of compounds presumed to modify GABAergic function. It is pharmacologically relevant and warrants inclusion in any program involving GABAergic drugs.