Baclofen induces catatonia in rats

Baclofen (10 and 20 mg/kg, i.p.) induced catatonia in rats within 10 min of its administration and the effect lasted for 3hr. Muscimol (100 ng i.c.v. or 1 mg/kg, i.p.) as well as GABA (5μg i.c.v.) potentiated the effect without producing any effect per se. Bicuculline, bromocriptine and scopolamine failed to modify the catatonia induced by baclofen, thereby ruling out the involvement of GABA_A receptors, dopaminergic and cholinergic mechanisms. However, GABA_B receptor antagonists, such as homotaurine and δ-amino-n -valeric acid, reversed the catatonia induced by baclofen in rats. Since baclofen is known to bind to a subpopulation of GABA receptors (bicuculline-insensitive) and baclofen-induced catatonia was suceptible to reversal by homotaurine and δ-amino-n -valeric acid, it is suggested that this effect could be mediated through GABA_B receptors.