[Effect of GABA on motor activity in the rat during the early postnatal period]

Effect of GABA on the motor activity of rats of the first month of life was studied in conditions of free behaviour in the maternal cage. It has been found that at the age of 1-10 days the injection of GABA increases, and at the age of 11-30 days decreases both the general motor activity and the grooming activity. It is suggested that a possible mechanism of the observed effect of GABA consists in the deepening of presynaptic inhibition, which results, during the earlier stages of postnatal ontogeny, in intensifying the autorhythmical activity of spinal motor centres, whereas during the later stages, when the autorhythmical activity of the spinal cord is replaced by reflex excitatory mechanisms, in depressing the latter.