Acute gabapentin administration in healthy adults. A double-blind placebo-controlled study using transcranial magnetic stimulation and 7T 1H-MRS

Abstract Gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) and glutamate are the primary neurotransmitters responsible for modulating excitatory inhibitory signalling within human brain. Dysfunctional GABAergic glutamatergic has been identified as a key factor in range of neuropsychiatric conditions; hence measurement modulation these neurometabolites is important improving our understanding conditions treatment options. Gabapentin (GBP) one several drugs developed to increase GABA levels routinely prescribed such epilepsy neuralgia. While animal studies indicate that GBP can elevate levels, its exact mechanisms action not fully understood, although does have direct effect upon receptors. To investigate impact acute administration motor system we used two complimentary approaches – transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) resonance spectroscopy (MRS). MRS TMS measures repeatedly found be uncorrelated likely reflect different pools synaptic extra GABA, hence, measuring both same participants allows an in-depth assessment effects. Despite significantly increased ratings fatigue tiredness group, failed find any statistically significant changes or GABA. Measures Glutamate (glu) glutamine (gln) were also affected by GBP. These findings they run counter previous work, suggest dose subject substantial individual variation, with timing particularly observed implications use dosing means explore function health disease.