[Participation of GABA-ergic structures in producing the effects of haloperidol].

A study was made of the effect of haloperidol on convulsions induced in mice by bicuculline and thiosemicarbazide and on the recovery cycles of the primary response in the rat sensorimotor cortex. In doses of 0.3--0.5 mg/kg producing a tranquilizing effect, haloperidol exerts a protective action in convulsions induced by bicuculline blocking of the GABA receptors and enhances the depression of the testing response during recovery cycle of the rat sensorimotor cortex primary response. It means that over this dosage range haloperidol potentiates GABA-induced effects. An increase in the neuroleptic dose up to 1--2 mg/kg entails disappearance of the efficacy shown by both the tests. The authors' own and reported data suggest an important role played by the postsynaptic GABA-positive effect in realization of the tranquilizing action of haloperidol and other neurotropic agents.