Chronic Haloperidol Administration Enhances the γ-Aminobutyric Acid Level in the Rat Striatum without Altering the Glutamate Level

Abstract

A dose-dependent elevation of striatal γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) level was found under chronic treatment with haloperidol, a classical neuroleptic drug. The unaltered GABA level in the substantia nigra is compatible with the existence of GABAergic interneu-rons in the striatum, which are inhibited by the afferent dopaminergic innervation to the striatum. The glutamate levels of the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and different brain regions investigated were not significantly changed by haloperidol. By contrast, we found in an earlier investigation with sulpiride, an atypical neuroleptic drug, a changed glutamate level in the striatum and the CSF and an unaltered GABA level. These findings may correspond to the different clinical effects of classical and atypical neuroleptics.

In vivo effects of carbamazepine and haloperidol on GABA neurotransmission and LH secretion

“…acute or chronic. In addition, chronic HAL injections (3 mg HAL/kg i.p., 39 days) enhanced striatal GABA levels, whereas nigral GABA remained unchanged (Kornhuber et al, 1984). On the other hand, chronic neuroleptic treatment, i.e.…”