Hippocampal GABA transporter function in temporal-lobe epilepsy

Electrophysiological studies show that the decrease in the amount of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) present in the temporal lobe of humans is because of a decrease in the number of GABA transporters which affects the release of GABA. In the epileptogenic hippocampi, the potassium-stimulated release of GABA increases while the glutamate-induced, calcium-independent release of GABA decreases. However, the number of GABA containing cells and receptors in the neurons of the epileptogenic hippocampi is the same as that in normal neurons. GABA is probably necessary to mediate synaptic transmission and decreases are linked to epileptic seizures.