Microinjections of the gamma-aminobutyrate antagonist, bicuculline methiodide, into the caudate-putamen prevent amygdala-kindled seizures in rats.

We used amygdala-kindled seizures in rats to study the function of striatal gamma-aminobutyrate (GABA) in the regulation of the seizure threshold of the limbic forebrain. Microinjections of the GABAA antagonist, bicuculline methiodide, 1 pmol, into the caudate-putamen protected rats against amygdala-kindled seizures. This result shows that striatal GABA differentially modulates the threshold for limbic seizures.