[Inhibition of mouse-killing behavior by rats with taurine, GABA, and its analogues]

The injection of Gaba, of taurine or of a structural analog of GABA (n-dipropylacetate) in the olfactive bulb of "killer" Rats was found to inhibit the mouse-killing behaviour of the rat. The same effect was obtained when taurine or n-dipropylacetate (which increases GABA in the central nervous system), was injected intraperitoneally. The experiments reported here are interpreted to explain certain molecular mechanisms of muricidal behaviour.