Neuronal responses to ethylenediamine: preferential blockade by bicuculline

Effects of ethylenediamine in rodent models of seizure, motor coordination and anxiety

Ethylenediamine (EDA) activates GABA(A) receptors via both direct and indirect mechanisms. EDA has been shown to reduce seizures caused by systemic injection of proconvulsants in an animal model of generalized tonic-clonic seizures. However, there does not appear to have been any report on the effects of EDA in other seizure models. Hence, we used male Sprague-Dawley rats to test the effects of EDA on topically applied bicuculline (a model of simple partial seizures) and on maximal electroshock (MES, a model of generalized tonic-clonic seizures). We also examined the effects of EDA on motor coordination using a rotarod treadmill, and its potential anxiolytic properties using an elevated plus maze (EPM). EDA at concentrations of 50 μM and above reduced the frequency of epileptiform spikes on an electrocorticogram in a concentration-dependent manner. EDA at 100 and 1000 mg/kg i.p. increased the threshold for inducing limb extension on the MES. EDA did not affect the time spent by rats on the rotarod at 10 or 100mg/kg, but significantly reduced the time spent at doses of 1000 mg/kg. In the EPM, EDA at 10 or 100mg/kg significantly increased the frequency of entries and time spent in the open arms. We conclude that EDA has antiepileptic and anxiolytic activity at doses that do not affect motor coordination.

Effects of ethylenediamine--a putative GABA-releasing agent--on rat hippocampal slices and neocortical activity in vivo

The simple diamine diaminoethane (ethylenediamine, EDA) has been shown to activate GABA receptors in the central and peripheral nervous systems, partly by a direct action and partly by releasing endogenous GABA. These effects have been shown to be produced by the complexation of EDA with bicarbonate to form a carbamate. The present work has compared EDA, GABA and β-alanine responses in rat CA1 neurons using extracellular and intracellular recordings, as well as neocortical evoked potentials in vivo. Superfusion of GABA onto hippocampal slices produced depolarisation and a decrease of field epsps, both effects fading rapidly, but showing sensitivity to blockade by bicuculline. EDA produced an initial hyperpolarisation and increase of extracellular field epsp size with no fade and only partial sensitivity to bicuculline, with subsequent depolarisation, while β-alanine produces a much larger underlying hyperpolarisation and increase in fepsps, followed by depolarisation and inhibition of fepsps. The responses to β-alanine, but not GABA or EDA, were blocked by strychnine. In vivo experiments, recording somatosensory evoked potentials, confirmed that EDA produced an initial increase followed by depression, and that this effect was not fully blocked by bicuculline. Overall the results indicate that EDA has actions in addition to the activation of GABA receptors. These actions are not attributable to activation of β-alanine-sensitive glycine receptors, but may involve the activation of sites sensitive to adipic acid, which is structurally equivalent to the dicarbamate of EDA. The results emphasise the complex pharmacology of simple amines in bicarbonate-containing solutions.

Mono N-aryl ethylenediamine and piperazine derivatives are GABAA receptor blockers: implications for psychiatry

Ethylenediamine (EDA) and piperazine are known GABA-A receptor agonists and this activity appears to reside in their carbamate adducts. In CO2-free incubation medium EDA and piperazine weakly reverse the inhibitory action of 1 microM GABA on specific [35S]t-butylbicyclophosphorothionate (35S-TBPS) binding to rat brain membranes in vitro. In 25 mM sodium bicarbonate buffer, EDA and piperazine much more potently inhibit 35S-TBPS binding in a way reversible by the GABA-A receptor blocker R5135. Thus, native EDA and piperazine are weak GABA-A receptor blockers, while their presumed carbamate adducts, formed by reaction with bicarbonate, are more potent GABA-A receptor agonists. Virtually all structural modifications of EDA or piperazine result in GABA-A receptor blockers, even in the presence of bicarbonate, judging from their abilities to fully or partially reverse the inhibitory effect of GABA on 35S-TBPS binding. Of 12 non-aromatic piperazine or EDA derivatives, the piperazine derivatives are the more potent GABA antagonists, although all are weak compared to the mono N-aryl derivatives. Nineteen mono N-aryl EDA derivatives are moderately potent GABA antagonists, including 10 with demonstrated or potential antidepressant activity. Most of the N-aryl piperazines are moderately to highly potent GABA antagonists, one (pitrazepin) being 4 to 5 times more potent than bicuculline. There are several clinically effective antidepressants (e.g. Amoxapine, Mianserine) and antipsychotics (Clothiapine, Loxapine, Metiapine, Clozapine and Fluperlapine) among the more potent N-aryl piperazine GABA antagonists.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Differences in the effects (in vitro) of ethylenediamine on the guinea-pig and rat intestine

The effects of ethylenediamine in different regions of the rat and guinea-pig small intestine were investigated pharmacologically using isolated gut-bath preparations. In the guinea-pig, ethylenediamine caused concentration-dependent neurally mediated contractions or biphasic responses (contraction followed by relaxation). The contractions could be prevented by muscarinic and GABAA receptor antagonists. Ethylenediamine-evoked relaxations and depression of electrically evoked cholinergic twitch responses were blocked by desensitization to baclofen. However, in the rat intestine, the primary response to applied ethylenediamine was a concentration-dependent, non-desensitizing relaxation, evidently due to a direct action of ethylenediamine on the muscularis since it was unaffected by tetrodotoxin or GABAergic blockade.

Influence of GABA and ethylenediamine in the guinea-pig duodenum

1. GABA induced concentration-dependent transient contractions of the guinea-pig duodenum, but only occasionally evoked small relaxatory responses. The GABA-induced contractions were blocked by atropine and tetrodotoxin but were not influenced by hexamethonium; during electrically evoked twitch contractions, GABA had a concentration-dependent inhibitory effect. 2. The concentration-response curve for the contractile effect of GABA was shifted to the right in a dose-dependent manner by bicuculline and picrotoxin, with a clear reduction of the maximal effect in the presence of picrotoxin. 3. Homotaurine and delta-aminovaleric acid but not baclofen mimicked the GABA-induced contractions; the responses induced by these GABAA receptor agonists were antagonized by atropine, tetrodotoxin and bicuculline. Baclofen concentration-dependently inhibited electrically evoked twitch contractions. 4. Ethylenediamine also had a GABA-like effect, and cross-desensitization developed between GABA and ethylenediamine. 5. The ethylenediamine-induced contractions were not antagonized by thiosemicarbazide; they were reduced by 3-mercaptopropionic acid but the GABA-induced contractions were reduced to the same extent. 6. It is concluded that GABA induces contraction of the guinea-pig duodenum by excitation of GABAA receptors on postganglionic cholinergic neurones; a GABAB receptor-mediated inhibitory effect can be observed during electrically evoked twitch contractions. Ethylenediamine mimicks the GABAA receptor-mediated effect probably by a direct effect on the GABAA receptors.

Non involvement of gamma-aminobutyric acid in catechol-induced seizures

The effects of certain anticonvulsant agents, namely, valproate, diazepam and phenobarbitone were investigated on catechol-induced spontaneous and evoked convulsions, in anaesthetized rats and mice. Valproate and diazepam significantly reduced the intensity of spontaneous convulsions and the frequency of occurrence of the longer-latency components (M2 and M3) of the evoked muscle response. Phenobarbitone significantly reduced spontaneous convulsions and the M3 component of the evoked muscle response. None of the drugs affected the short latency M1 component indicating a supra-spinal site of action of these drugs. Agents which modify gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA)-mediated transmission were without effect on the frequency of occurrence of M1, M2 or M3. The results suggest that the convulsant action of catechol is not dependent on antagonism of GABA-mediated inhibition.

The influence of bicarbonate ions on the GABA-mimetic activity of ethylenediamine

A study was performed to investigate the GABA-mimetic activity of ethylenediamine (EDA) and piperazine at mammalian gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) receptors using radioligand binding assays and in vitro isolated tissues. The potency of ethylenediamine and piperazine as inhibitors of the binding of GABA receptors to synaptic membranes from rat brain was measured in Tris-buffers and Krebs-Henseleit solution (KHS). The potency of ethylenediamine and piperazine at GABAA and ethylenediamine at GABAB receptors was raised if Krebs-Henseleit solution was used for the assay. Piperazine was inactive at GABAB receptors. The potency of the antagonist of GABAA receptors bicuculline methobromide, was also increased in Krebs-Henseleit when compared with Tris-citrate buffer. Of the ions present in Krebs-Henseleit, bicarbonate ions were responsible for the increase in the GABA-mimetic potency of ethylenediamine and piperazine. Addition of either NaHCO3 or KHCO3 (25 mM) to Tris-HCl buffer (for GABAA binding) or Tris-HCl plus 2.5 mM CaCl2 (for GABAB binding) yielded IC50 values similar to those measured in Krebs-Henseleit solution. Bicarbonate ions also enhanced the ability of ethylenediamine to potentiate the binding of [3H]diazepam to membranes from rat brain (raising both the potency of ethylenediamine and its maximum effect) in this system. In the absence of HCO-3 ions, ethylenediamine potentiated the binding of [3H]diazepam by raising the maximum binding capacity (Bmax) without changing the affinity (Kd) of the receptors. Potassium bicarbonate (25 mM) caused ethylenediamine to further potentiate the binding of [3H]diazepam by changing both Bmax and Kd.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Effects of ethylenediamine on morphine analgesia and tolerance-dependence in mice

Ethylenediamine, a GABA receptor agonist induced a small hyperalgesic state in mice, but increased morphine analgesia. The interaction with this morphine effect was not dose-dependent. Ethylenediamine significantly antagonized tolerance development at relatively low doses (5-10 mg/kg). The GABA mimetic agent increased the frequency of abstinence signs in the naloxone-precipitated morphine withdrawal in mice. The effect of ethylenediamine on morphine withdrawal was suppressed by the irreversible GABA transaminase inhibitor, gamma-vinyl GABA.

Evidence that ethylenediamine acts in the isolated ileum of the guinea-pig by releasing endogenous GABA

Ethylenediamine (EDA) released [3H]-gamma-aminobutyric acid ([3H]-GABA) in a dose-dependent manner from the isolated preloaded ileum of the guinea-pig maintained in Krebs-bicarbonate solution (pH 7.4, 37 degrees C), in the presence of beta-alanine and amino-oxyacetic acid (AOAA) to prevent GABA uptake into glial cells and catabolism. This release was reversibly prevented by 3-mercaptopropionic acid (3-MPA), also in a dose-dependent manner. In the isolated ileal preparations of the guinea-pig maintained in Krebs-bicarbonate solution, EDA induced a dose-dependent transient, cholinergic contractile response (GABAA-receptor-mediated effect), followed by an 'after-relaxation' (GABAB-receptor-mediated effect). EDA also induced a transient contraction superimposed on repetitive twitch responses to electrical transmural stimulation of the cholinergic neurones, followed by a depression of the twitch contractions. This GABAA-receptor-mediated contraction was antagonized by bicuculline methochloride and picrotoxinin, whilst the GABAB-receptor-mediated 'after-relaxation', and depression of cholinergic twitch contractions, was susceptible to antagonism by delta-aminovaleric acid. The pA2 value for bicuculline methochloride antagonism of EDA was estimated to be 5.8, identical with that for GABA. 3-Mercaptopropionic acid also prevented these pharmacological actions induced by EDA without affecting responses to GABA, 3-aminopropranesulphonic acid, muscimol, baclofen or the twitch responses to transmural stimulation. It is concluded that EDA releases both [3H]-GABA and endogenous GABA in the guinea-pig ileum, thus providing further evidence that GABA is a transmitter in the enteric nervous system.

Inhibition of synaptosomal uptake of amino acid transmitters by diamines

Reports of the inhibitory effects of diaminocarboxylic acids on the uptake of amino acid transmitters led the present authors to examine the effects of simple aliphatic diamines on the synaptosomal uptake of glutamate, aspartate, GABA and glycine. The diamines studied were the series from ethylenediamine through to 1,7-diaminoheptane; DL-2,4-diaminobutyric acid (DABA) was also tested for comparative purposes. The greatest inhibition seen was on the uptake of glycine and GABA. Weaker effects on uptake were seen with glutamate, while aspartate was unaffected. The patterns of inhibition for glycine and GABA were similar and the effects were dose-dependent. 1,2-Diaminopropane was the most inhibitory, followed by ethylenediamine and 1,7-diaminoheptane. The reported inhibitory effects of DL-2,4-diaminobutyric acid on the uptake of GABA and glutamate were confirmed; comparable inhibition of the uptake of glycine and aspartate was seen but the effects on GABA were most potent. Inhibition of the uptake of GABA by 1,2-diaminopropane was approximately one fifteenth that reported for DL-2,4-diaminobutyric acid. The inhibition by diamine of the uptake of glycine and GABA can provide an explanation of the depressant effects of diamines, seen after ventricular administration; however, the excitotoxic effects of the diamines 1,3-diaminopropane through to 1,7-diaminoheptane could not be explained by the present results.

The action of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) and ethylenediamine (EDA) on Limulus and Helix central neurones and rat cerebellar and sympathetic ganglion neurones

Intracellular recordings were made from central Limulus and Helix neurones and extracellular recordings from rat cerebellar Purkinje cells and sympathetic ganglia. The actions of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) and ethylenediamine (EDA) and related analogues on these preparations were investigated. On Limulus neurones inhibited by GABA, EDA and piperazine were 81 and 186 times respectively less potent than GABA. Both the GABA and EDA events were chloride mediated, having similar reversal potentials and were reversibly antagonised by picrotoxinin. The EDA response persisted in high magnesium Ringer. On Helix neurones inhibited by GABA, EDA was 92 times less potent while on neurones excited by GABA, EDA was 9.25 times less potent. The other analogues tested had little or no GABA-like effect on either preparation. On rat cerebellar Purkinje cells, EDA was equipotent with GABA and both compounds were antagonised by bicuculline. Flurazepam only potentiated the action of EDA on 3 out of 23 cells tested while the GABA response of all 23 cells was potentiated by the benzodiazepine. Diaminopropionic acid was a weak inhibitor of cerebellar Purkinje cell firing but flurazepam potentiated this response in 6 out of 10 cells tested. On rat cervical ganglion neurones, EDA was half the potency of GABA and likewise the other analogues were less potent than GABA as depolarising agents. Incubation with glutamic acid decarboxylase inhibitors had no effect on the EDA response. Cross desensitisation between GABA and EDA was demonstrated using the ganglion preparation.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Structure-activity studies on the potentiation of benzodiazepine receptor binding by ethylenediamine analogues and derivatives

The effect of ethylenediamine analogues on in vitro binding of [3H]-diazepam to crude cerebral cortical synaptosomal membranes in the rat was studied. Ethylenediamine significantly increased [3H]-diazepam binding to a maximum potentiation of 154% control (EC50 = 1.8 X 10(-4) M) and was the most active compound studied in terms of both potency and the maximum potentiation observed. Potentiation of [3H]-diazepam binding by ethylenediamine analogues is dependent on carbon-chain length, appears to require two terminal amino groups, and is not observed in the rigid analogues studied. Potentiation of [3H]-diazepam binding by ethylenediamine analogues is mediated largely by a change in receptor number and not receptor affinity. Results are discussed in terms of the possible nature of the ethylenediamine binding site.

Mechanism of respiratory effects of methylxanthines

Neural respiratory responses to theophylline, aminophylline and ethylenediamine were determined in paralyzed, vagotomized and glomectomized cats whose end-tidal PCO2 and brain temperature were kept constant. Intravenous theophylline and aminophylline similarly stimulated respiration, but ethylenediamine had no effect. The following did not cause the response: muscular and mechanical factors, carotid body and vagal reflexes, spinally mediated mechanisms arising below C7, changes of arterial PCO2 or medullary ECF pH, changes of whole body metabolic rate or release of substances from the adrenal glands. Absence of suprapontine brain did not prevent the response. Pretreatment with a serotonin antagonist did not affect the response but two different dopamine antagonists caused its attenuation. When administered into the third ventricle, theophylline did not stimulate respiration, but both aminophylline and ethylenediamine, due to the latter's ability to mimic the inhibitory effects on neurons of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), caused significant depression of respiration. We conclude that the neural respiratory response to systemically administered theophylline is mediated at the level of the brainstem, and somehow involves the action of the neurochemical dopamine. The failure of cerebroventricularly administered theophylline to stimulate respiration must be related to its inability to reach the appropriate neurons from the cerebrospinal fluid.

Comparative plasma pharmacokinetics of theophylline and ethylenediamine after the administration of aminophylline to man

Plasma concentrations of theophylline and ethylenediamine have been examined after the oral and intravenous administration of aminophylline to three healthy male volunteers who received on separate occasions 250 mg aminophylline i.v. or 300 mg aminophylline by mouth. Blood samples were taken at regular intervals and the plasma levels of theophylline and ethylenediamine were assayed by h.p.l.c. After i.v. injection, plasma concentrations of theophylline were described by a two-compartment open model, with t1/2α 6 min, Vc 191 ml kg−1, t1/2β 6·0 h and Vp 217 ml kg−1. The plasma concentrations of ethylenediamine also exhibited a biphasic decline, the parameters of the two-compartment open model being t1/2α 7 min, Vc 214 ml kg−1, t1/2β 32 min and Vp 133 ml kg−1 (all values given are means of three subjects). The ratio of theophylline/ethylenediamine in plasma rose rapidly from the initial value of 6·2 (the ratio of the two compounds in aminophylline) over the first 10 min post injection to 47 at 120 min. After this time, ethylenediamine was not measurable in plasma, although theophylline was present for at least 6 h after dosing. Upon oral administration of aminophylline, plasma concentrations of theophylline rose to a peak value of 7·4 μg ml−1 at 1 h, falling thereafter with a t1/2 of 8·0 h. Ethylenediamine, by contrast, could only be detected over the first 2 h after dosing, in amounts below 0·4 μg ml−1. Comparison of oral and i.v. data showed the bioavailability of ethylenediamine was approximately 34% in comparison with a value of 88% for theophylline. These data indicate that the two components of aminophylline are handled independently by the body and that there is no molecular association between theophylline and ethylenediamine in biological media.

Studies on aminophylline disposition I. A rapid and sensitive HPLC assay for ethylenediamine in plasma and urine

A simple and rapid assay for ethylenediamine in plasma and urine is described. Ethylenediamine is treated with m-toluoyl chloride, yielding its N,N'-di(m-toluoyl) derivative, which is extracted into dichloromethane and assayed by reversed-phase high pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC) with u.v. detection. Quantitation is achieved with reference to the corresponding derivative of cadaverine as internal standard. The assay is reproducible, and the lower limit of detection is 0.05 microgram ml-1. Calibration curves in plasma and urine are linear over the concentration range 0.05-100 micrograms ml-1. The assay has been applied to the analysis of ethylenediamine in plasma and urine following the administration of aminophylline orally and intravenously to a volunteer.

Inhibitory action of gamma-aminobutyric acid on the excitatory but not inhibitory innervation of the rat anococcygeus muscle

1 The effects of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), ethylenediamine, 3-aminopropane sulphonic acid and (+/-)-baclofen have been examined on the responses to stimulation of the adrenergic excitatory and non-adrenergic non-cholinergic inhibitory innervation of the rat anococcygeus muscle in vitro. 2 GABA produced a dose-related depression of the contractile responses to field stimulation. Ethylenediamine and baclofen also depressed the contractile responses, though they were less potent than GABA. 3-Aminopropane sulphonic acid was almost inactive. The inhibitory action of GABA was not modified by phentolamine, propranolol or bicuculline methylbromide. 3 GABA did not affect the contractile responses of the anococcygeus muscle to noradrenaline, phenylephrine or carbachol in untreated muscles or those treated with 6-hydroxydopamine in vitro. 4 In preparations in which tone was raised by continuous perfusion with carbachol in the presence of phentolamine, field stimulation relaxed the muscle. GABA had no effect on this inhibitory response, and did not itself produce any relaxation. 5 It is concluded that GABA exerts a presynaptic inhibitory action on the excitatory adrenergic but not on the inhibitory innervation of the anococcygeus muscle, and that the GABA receptor involved exhibits properties of the previously described GABAB site.

Ethylenediamine and GABA potentiation of [3H]diazepam binding to benzodiazepine receptors in rat cerebral cortex

Specific binding of [3H]diazepam at a free concentration of 2 nM was found to be maximally potentiated by 117% in Tris-HCl buffer and 160% in Tris-citrate buffer by ethylenediamine (EDA), but only at relatively high concentrations of EDA (ED50 = 5 X 10(-5) M), although this potentiation was susceptible to a low dose (6 microM) of bicuculline. Dose-response curves show that EDA differs from GABA with respect to both potency and efficacy. In additivity experiments no evidence was found that EDA could act as a partial agonist at GABA receptors, and it was concluded that EDA and GABA apparently do not potentiate [3H]diazepam binding by acting on the same receptor. Scatchard analysis lends support to this hypothesis, indicating that the potentiation of [3H]diazepam binding by 3.16 X 10(-3) M EDA is due to an increase in receptor number (from 930 to 1170 fmol/mg protein) and not receptor affinity (remaining constant about 20 nM). Subsequent studies showed the potentiation to be reversible. It is concluded that EDA can act on the GABA-benzodiazepine receptor ionophore complex but that this is probably not a direct action on the GABA receptor. It is suggested that EDA can be used to differentiate GABA receptors linked to benzodiazepine receptors from those not so linked.

Anticonvulsant actions of the putative gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA)-mimetic, ethylenediamine

1 Ethylenediamine, 31.6-1000 mg/kg intraperitoneally, inhibited the convulsive effects of pentylenetetrazol, 100 mg/kg (i.p.) in mice. 2 Ethylenediamine, 100-1000 mg/kg (i.p.) increased the convulsion threshold to the intravenous infusion of three convulsants in the order pentylenetetrazol greater than bicuculline greater than strychnine. 3 The benzodiazepine antagonist R0 15-1788, 10 mg/kg (i.p.), significantly inhibited the anticonvulsant action of diazepam, 50 micrograms/kg, but not ethylenediamine, 1000 mg/kg. 4 These results clearly indicate that ethylenediamine has anticonvulsant properties and are consistent with the hypothesis that ethylenediamine is a gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA)-mimetic.

Uptake and calcium-dependent release of ethylenediamine (1,2-diaminoethane) by rat brain slices

The uptake of [14C]ethylenediamine into slices of rat brain and its subsequent evoked release have been studied. An active uptake process was demonstrated by comparing uptake at 37 and 4 degrees C. This uptake showed a Km of 1.36 mM, was partly sodium-dependent and was reduced by nipecotic acid. Release could be readily evoked by 30 mM potassium, and by electrical stimulation, the release in both cases being calcium-dependent. In view of these findings and the reported interactions of ethylenediamine with gamma-aminobutyric acid-related mechanisms, it might be of interest to determine whether this simple diamine occurs endogenously in the mammalian brain.

Ethylenediamine as a specific releasing agent of gamma-aminobutyric acid in rat striatal slices

Following incubation with [14C]gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) or [3H]dopamine, slices of rat striatum were superfused with media containing 36 mM K+ or ethylenediamine (EDA), 1 or 5 mM. Both K+ and EDA induced a release being largely Ca2+-dependent, while the EDA-induced release was not. Whereas K+ also evoked a Ca2+-dependent release of [3H]dopamine, EDA evoked no release of dopamine. EDA may therefore have potential as a specific GABA releasing agent.

Ethylenediamine as a GABA agonist: enhancement of diazepam binding and interaction with GABA receptors and uptake sites

Ethylenediamine (EDA) acted as a GABA agonist by enhancing [3H]diazepam binding to well-washed rat forebrain membrane preparations in a bicuculline-sensitive manner, although its potency was 700-800 times less than that of GABA. EDA was over 3750 times weaker than GABA as a displacer of [3H]GABA bound to membrane receptors and was over 40-fold weaker than GABA at [3H]GABA uptake sites. Its most potent action was as an inhibitor of [3H]beta-alanine uptake into rat cerebral cortex slices. Thus, EDA may show some selectivity for glial rather than neuronal GABA uptake. These data suggest that EDA is a very weak GABA agonist in these in vitro systems and are consistent with EDA bearing a closer structural resemblance to beta-alanine than to GABA.

Comparison of the effects of ethylenediamine analogues and gamma-aminobutyric acid on cortical and pallidal neurones

1 The actions of ethylenediamine (EDA) and structurally related compounds were investigated by microiontophoresis in Wistar rats. 2 EDA inhibited, via a bicuculline-sensitive mechanism, the spontaneous firing rate of all cortical and pallidal cells tested. 3 The results with the analogues suggest that two amine groups are required for this neuronal depressant action whereas a carboxyl grouping is not. N-substitution reduces the depressant effect. The length of the molecule is also critical, more than 3 methylene components seriously reducing its effectiveness. A rigid analogue of EDA, piperazine, was also active. In addition the apparent transport numbers of EDA and gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) were calculated, showing a close similarity between the two. 4 The results are discussed wih respect to the possibility that EDA may represent a new class of GABA-mimetics, or may indicate the existence of a novel diamine receptor mediating bicuculline-sensitive inhibition in the rat CNS.