Age-dependent changes in the susceptibility to thiopental anesthesia in mice: Analysis of the relationship to the functional expression of GABA transporter

► Thiopental-induced anesthesia is more pronounced in younger mice. ► We examine the contribution of GABA transporter (GAT) to thiopental anesthesia. ► GAT inhibitors enhanced thiopental anesthesia in mice age-dependently. ► The ability of GAT inhibitor to inhibit GABA uptake increased developmentally. ► The mechanism explains the age-dependent contribution of GAT.