GABAERGIC AGENTS Meaning and
Definition
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GABAergic agents refer to drugs or substances that exert their effects on the gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) system in the central nervous system (CNS). GABA is an inhibitory neurotransmitter in the brain that helps regulate neuronal activity, contributing to the overall balance of excitatory and inhibitory signals. GABAergic agents can either enhance or suppress GABA activity, depending on their mechanism of action.
GABAergic agents that enhance GABA activity are known as GABA agonists. These drugs bind to and activate GABA receptors, leading to increased GABAergic neurotransmission. This results in reduced neuronal excitability, muscle relaxation, sedation, and anxiolytic effects. Examples of GABA agonists include benzodiazepines (e.g., diazepam), barbiturates (e.g., phenobarbital), and some antiepileptic medications (e.g., gabapentin).
Conversely, GABAergic agents that inhibit GABA activity are known as GABA antagonists or GABA reuptake inhibitors. These substances reduce the availability or function of GABA, leading to enhanced neuronal excitability and decreased inhibitory tone. This class of drugs may be used to treat conditions that require increased neural activity, such as epilepsy. Examples of GABA antagonists include picrotoxin, bicuculline, and GABA transport inhibitors such as tiagabine.
Overall, GABAergic agents play a crucial role in modulating neural activity and maintaining the balance between excitation and inhibition in the CNS. Their effects can have therapeutic applications in various neurological and psychiatric disorders, including anxiety, epilepsy, insomnia, and movement disorders.
Common Misspellings for GABAERGIC AGENTS
- fabaergic agents
- vabaergic agents
- babaergic agents
- habaergic agents
- yabaergic agents
- tabaergic agents
- gzbaergic agents
- gsbaergic agents
- gwbaergic agents
- gqbaergic agents
- gavaergic agents
- ganaergic agents
- gahaergic agents
- gagaergic agents
- gabzergic agents
- gabsergic agents
- gabwergic agents
- gabqergic agents
- gabawrgic agents
- gabasrgic agents
Etymology of GABAERGIC AGENTS
The word "GABAergic" is derived from the acronym GABA, which stands for gamma-aminobutyric acid. GABA is a neurotransmitter that inhibits or reduces the activity of neurons in the brain, contributing to the regulation of neuronal excitability. The suffix "-ergic" is used to denote substances or agents that affect or relate to a particular neurotransmitter system. Therefore, "GABAergic agents" refer to substances or drugs that modulate or interact with the GABA neurotransmitter system in the brain.
