ABSTRACT

Several decades ago the sodium salt of n-butyric acid was reported to produce a sleeplike state after intravenous administration to rabbits (White and Samson 1956). EEG activity recorded at the same time was consistent with the behavioral observations. This hypnotic action of sodium butyrate was confirmed by Jouany et al. (1960). On the heels of these observations was the accumulation of evidence that suggested that γaminobutyric acid (GABA) was an inhibitory substance in the central nervous system (CNS) (Krnjevic 1991). Owing to its hydrophilic and net charge properties, however, GABA was to all intents and purposes unable to enter the brain from the bloodstream upon oral or parenteral treatment in animals.