GABA

Question 1

GABA

Answer 1

• Inhibitory amino acid neurotransmitter
• Synthesized from glutamate (not found in glutamaterigic cell or would glutmatae would turn into GABA)
• Found in brain and spinal chord (same places as glutamate)
• Reduced GABA causes brain hyperactivity (seizures)
• Not localized
• Helps coordinate processing functions

Question 2

GABA (A) Receptor

Answer 2

o	Ionotropic for Cl
o	5 subunits
   o	Benzodiazepine site
   o	Steroid site
   o	GABA site
   o	Picrotoxin site
   o	Barbiturate and alcohol site

Question 3

GABA (B) Receptor

Answer 3

o Metabotropic (less common)

Question 4

Benzodiazepines:

Answer 4

• Valium, Librium
• Reduces anxiety (anxiolytic), muscle relaxant, anti convulsant
• Can be used as immediate response to seizures
• Impairs learning and memory

Question 5

Barbiturates:

Answer 5

• Calming
• More extreme effects than benzodiazepines
• Can be used as anesthesia, but not very much because small window between anesthesia and death
• Impairs learning and memory

Question 6

Steroids:

Answer 6

• Calming
• i.e. progesterone
• Restores homeostasis after stressful situation

Question 7

Picrotoxin:

Answer 7

• Poison found in East Indian shrub
• Dampens effects of GABA
• Causes seizures and convulsions at high doses

Question 8

Alcohol:

Answer 8

• Regulates GABA function at benzodiazepine or barbiturate site
• Not really understood because it’s a simple molecule