Time-lapse photography was used to examine the effects of γ-aminobutyric
acid (GABA) on the outgrowth
and motility of neurites in cultures from mouse spinal cord. GABA at concentrations
of 100, 10 and 1 μm
caused significant inhibition of neurite outgrowth and the motility of
growth cones was significantly reduced
by treatment with 100 and 10 μm GABA. This effect was mimicked
by the GABAB receptor agonist
baclofen, whereas the GABAA receptor agonist muscimol had no
effect. The effect of GABA on outgrowth
and motility seems to be dependent on the type of serum employed. The results
reported here were obtained
only when heat-inactivated serum was used and not when non heat-inactivated
serum was added to the
culture medium. They suggest that GABA has a role in the regulation of
process outgrowth within the
embryonic mouse spinal cord.