7-aminobutyric acid inhibitory neurotransmitter

For the parasitic nematodes putative neurotransmitters and/or neuromodulators include ACh (excitatory), y-aminobutyric acid (inhibitory), and glutamate (excitatory). Though 5-FIT and the catecholamines are indicated by immuno-cytochemical, biochemical and anatomical techniques, their precise functions as neurosignals remains to be determined. The study of neuropeptides in nematodes has revealed the strong candidacy of the family of FMRFamide-like peptides and in particular the AF peptides which have been shown to have specific physiological effects. 

Picrotoxin has been instmmental in estabUshing an inhibitory neurotransmitter role for the amino acid, gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), quantitatively the most important inhibitory neurotransmitter in the mammalian CNS. Whereas glycine is predominately localized in the spinal cord, GABA... 

GABA (y-aminobutyric acid) is an amino acid with mostly inhibitory functions in the mammalian central nervous system. Structures involved in releasing or binding GABA as a neurotransmitter constitute the GABAergic system. The GABAergic system is involved... 

GABA receptors. Receptors for y-aminobutyric acid. GABA is an amino acid that acts as an inhibitory neurotransmitter in the CNS. 

Lamina II is also known as the substantia gelatinosa (SG) and can be divided into two layers, the outer layer (IIo) and the inner layer (Ili). This layer is densely packed with small neurons and lacks myelinated axons. Neurons with cell bodies in Hi receive inputs from low-threshold mechanoreceptive primary afferents, while those in IIo respond to inputs from high-threshold and thermoreceptive afferents. The intrinsic cells which comprise the SG are predominantly stalk and islet cells. Stalk cells are found located in lamina IIo, particularly on the border of lamina I, and most of their axons have ramifications in lamina I although some also project to deeper layers. These cells are thought to predominantly relay excitatory transmission. Islet cells, on the other hand, are located in Hi and have been demonstrated to contain the inhibitory neurotransmitters, y-aminobutyric acid (GABA), glycine and enkephalins in their dendrites. Hence these cells have been proposed to be inhibitory interneurons. 

The major inhibitory neurotransmitter in the cerebral cortex is y-aminobutyric acid (GABA). It attaches to neuronal membranes and opens chloride channels. When chloride flows into the neuron, it becomes hyperpolarized and less excitable. This mechanism is probably critical for shutting off seizure activity by controlling the excessive neuronal firing. Some antiepileptic drugs, primarily barbiturates and benzodiazepines, work by enhancing the action of GABA. 

GABA (y-aminobutyric acid) The major inhibitory amino acid neurotransmitter of the CNS. 

Alterations in neurotransmitter uptake and metabolism in glial cells / Modification in the ratio and function of inhibitory circuits / Local neurotransmitter imbalances (e.g., glutamate, y-aminobutyric acid [GABA]), acetylcholine, norepinephrine, and serotonin)... 

The diagram below shows the pathway of pain transmission from the peripheral nerves to the cerebral cortex. There are three levels of neuronal involvement and the signals may be modulated at two points during their course to the cerebral cortex. Descending inhibitory pathways arise in the midbrain and pass to the dorsal horn as shown. Multiple different neurotransmitters are involved in the pathway and include gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA), noradrenaline and opioids. 

The amino acid neurotransmitters are subdivided into primarily excitatory (glutamate, aspartate) and inhibitory (y-aminobutyric acid, GABA, glycine) types. 

Aspartic acid has a side chain carboxyl group that will lose a proton and become an anionic carboxylate group under physiological conditions. Aspartic acid is the metabolic precursor to gamma (y)-aminobutyric acid (GABA), an important inhibitory neurotransmitter in the human central nervous system. 

In essence, all of the older benzodiazepines that are structurally related to chlordiazepoxide and diazepam are termed 1,4-benzodiazepines. The chemical structure of some commonly used benzodiazepines is shown in Figure 9.2. They enhance the actions of the inhibitory neurotransmitter gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) in the brain. As a consequence, they affect the activities of the cerebellum (concerned with balance and coordination), the limbic areas of the brain and the cerebral cortex (thought and decision making, fine movement control). 

There are more than 10 billion neurons that make up the human nervous system, and they interact with one another through neurotransmitters. Acetylcholine, a number of biogenic amines (norepinephrine, dopamine, serotonin, and in all likelihood, histamine and norepinephrine), certain amino acids and peptides, and adenosine are neurotransmitters in the central nervous system. Amino acid neurotransmitters are glutamic and aspartic acids that excite postsynaptic membrane receptors of several neurons as well as y-aminobutyric acid (GABA) and glycine, which are inhibitory neurotransmitters. Endorphins, enkephalins, and substance P are considered peptidergic transmitters. There are many compounds that imitate the action of these neurotransmitters. 

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