1 College of Bioinformatics Science and Technology, Harbin Medical University, Harbin 150081, China 
2 School of Computer Science and Technology, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin 150001, China 
3 Department of Physiology, Harbin Medical University, Harbin 150081, China

Abstract 

Objective 
To observe the effects of γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) on the electric activities of pain-excited neurons (PEN) in nucleus accumbens (NAc) in central nervous system (CNS) of morphine-dependent rats. 
Methods 
After GABA or the GABAA-receptor antagonist, bicuculline (Bic), was injected into cerebral ventricles or NAc, right sciatic nerve was stimulated by electrical pulses, which was considered as traumatic pain stimulation. Extracellular recordings Methods were used to record the electric activities of PEN in NAc. 
Results 
When GABA was injected into intracerebroventricle (ICV) as well as NAc, it could decrease the pain-evoked discharge frequency and prolong the latency of PEN. Bic could interdict the above effects of GABA on the electric activities of PEN. 
Conclusion 
Exogenous GABA might have an inhibitory effect on the central pain adjustment. Furthermore, GABA and GABAA receptor participate and mediate the traumatic information transmission process in CNS.

Keywords

γ-aminobutyric acid, pain-excited neurons; nucleus accumbens; bicuculline; morphine-dependent rats

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