Gamma-Aminobutyric Acid (Gaba)

This is an amino acid derived by a single-step decarboxylation from GLUTAMATE. GABA is the most abundant (in micromolar concentrations/mg of protein) inhibitory NEUROTRANSMITTER—and it is found throughout the animal kingdom. Its role as a neurotransmitter was first defined for the inhibitory nerve in lobster muscle, where GABA accounted for the total inhibitory potency of nerve extracts. A central inhibitory neurotransmitter role for GABA was securely established only when selective ANTAGONISTS, such as bicuculline, discriminated GABA receptors and pathways from glycine, a related inhibitory amino acid neurotransmitter. GABA actions and receptors for GABA have been linked to central nervous system sedatives such as ALCOHOL and BENZODIAZEPINES.

(SEE ALSO: Research)

BIBLIOGRAPHY

COOPER, J. R., BLOOM, F. E., & ROTH, R. H. (1991). The biochemical basis of neuropharmacology, 6th ed. New York: Oxford University Press.

FLOYD BLOOM