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01-06-2007 | Research Article

Suppression of LTP-like plasticity in human motor cortex by the GABA_B receptor agonist baclofen

Authors: Michelle N McDonnell, Yuri Orekhov, Ulf Ziemann

Published in: Experimental Brain Research | Issue 1/2007

Abstract

Previous experiments in slice preparations revealed that pharmacological activation of GABA_B receptors down- or up-regulates long-term potentiation (LTP), depending on whether increase of GABA_B receptor mediated inhibitory postsynaptic potentials or decrease of presynaptic auto-inhibition of GABA_A receptor mediated inhibition predominates. The effects of GABA_B receptor activation on LTP in humans in vivo are unknown. Here we show, by using transcranial magnetic stimulation, that the GABA_B receptor agonist baclofen decreases paired associative stimulation induced LTP-like plasticity in human motor cortex. This suggests that increased GABA_B mediated inhibitory postsynaptic potentials drive this effect, and that baclofen may have a negative impact on LTP-dependent behavioural processes such as motor learning.

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Title: Suppression of LTP-like plasticity in human motor cortex by the GABAB receptor agonist baclofen
Authors: Michelle N McDonnell
Yuri Orekhov
Ulf Ziemann
Publication date: 01-06-2007
Publisher: Springer-Verlag
Published in: Experimental Brain Research / Issue 1/2007
Print ISSN: 0014-4819
Electronic ISSN: 1432-1106
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00221-006-0849-0

At a glance: The STEP trials

Springer Medicine

Suppression of LTP-like plasticity in human motor cortex by the GABA_B receptor agonist baclofen

Abstract

At a glance: The STEP trials

Springer Medicine

Abstract

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