title: Impact of the novel anti-convulsant vigabatrin on functional recovery following brain lesion.
abstract: GABAergic drugs can positively or negatively influence recovery of neurobehavioral function following brain injury. Direct potentiation of GABA-mediated inhibition at the post-synaptic receptor (i.e., via GABA, muscimol, diazepam, phenobarbital) after brain damage has been associated with impaired functional recovery. What remains unclear, however, is whether the mechanism of action by which GABA is augmented contributes to a drug's impact on the recovery process. Vigabatrin, a novel anti-convulsant that inhibits GABA-transaminase, was administered chronically after unilateral anteromedial cortex lesions and recovery from somatosensory deficits assessed. In contrast to the direct GABA receptor agonists, vigabatrin did not adversely impact (i.e., was neutral) recovery from neurobehavioral deficits at any of the anti-convulsant doses tested. Measurable secondary drug effects like sedation and hypothermia diminished over time and were reversible upon drug discontinuation. These results suggest that the degree to which a GABAergic agent impacts the recovery process after brain injury is dependent on the drug's mechanism of action.
authors.affiliation: Behavioral Neuroscience Program, Department of Psychology, Campus Box 345, The University of Colorado, Boulder, CO 80309, USA.
authors.forename: Amy E.
authors.initials: AE
authors.lastname: Wallace
authors.forename: Anthony E.
authors.initials: AE
authors.lastname: Kline
authors.forename: Sylvia
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Montañez
authors.forename: Theresa D.
authors.initials: TD
authors.lastname: Hernandez