[The mechanism of the anticonvulsive action of diazepam]

Abstract

Diazepam was shown to be highly efficient in preventing the convulsive siezures induced by thiosemicarbazide and connected with GABA insufficiency. In recording the recovery cycles of the intracortical response of the cat motor cortex it was found that diazepam induced a decrease of the testing respone. These data indicate the enhancement of the inhibitory processes. Using this test an antagonistic relationship was observed between diazepam on the one hand, and biculline and thiosemicarbazide--on the other Diazepam was capable of increasing GABA content in the brain by suppressing GABA-transaminase activity in the mitochondrial fraction of the brain tissue.