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GABA-Natural Sedative for the Brain
2025-07-03
I: Basic Information:
Gamma - Aminobutyric Acid (GABA, γ - Aminobutyric Acid) is a non-protein amino acid and the most important inhibitory neurotransmitter in the mammalian central nervous system. It is widely distributed in the cerebral cortex, hippocampus, basal ganglia and other regions, and is involved in the regulation of a variety of neurophysiological functions.
II:Physiological functions of GABA
1: Neuroinhibitory effects
GABA exerts its inhibitory neurotransmitter function by binding to GABA receptors, which are mainly of two types: GABAA receptor and GABAB receptor. GABAA receptor is an ion channel-type receptor, and when GABA binds to GABAA receptor, it increases the probability of the opening of the chloride channel, which leads to the inward flow of chloride, resulting in the membrane potential of neurons. flow, leading to hyperpolarization of neuronal membrane potential, thus inhibiting neuronal excitability. This inhibitory effect is essential to maintain the normal function of the brain.
2: Regulation of Mood and Behavior
The GABA system is closely related to mood regulation. Mood disorders such as anxiety and depression are often associated with abnormal GABA function. When GABA levels are lowered, neuronal excitability is increased and inhibition in the cerebral cortex is weakened, which may lead to overexcitability and anxiety. Many anxiolytic drugs, such as benzodiazepines, exert their anxiolytic effects by enhancing the binding of GABA to GABAA receptors.
III: Crossover Applications:
Pharmaceutical Industry: Benzodiazepines (e.g., diazepam) alleviate anxiety symptoms by acting on GABAA receptors and enhancing the inhibitory effect of GABA. These drugs have a rapid onset of action and are commonly used in the treatment of acute anxiety attacks.
GABA plays an important role in regulating the sleep-wake cycle. Some non-benzodiazepine sedative-hypnotics (e.g., zolpidem) also induce sleep by selectively acting on specific subunits of the GABAA receptor to enhance the inhibitory effect of GABA.
Nutraceutical industry: With the increased concern for health and quality of life, GABA has received some attention as a nutritional supplement. Some studies have shown that oral administration of GABA may help to relieve stress, improve sleep quality, and so on. For example, in some animal experiments, animals fed food containing GABA were found to have shorter sleep latency and longer sleep time.
As a key neurotransmitter in the central nervous system, GABA plays an extremely important role in both neurophysiological and pathological processes. As the research on GABA continues to deepen, the prospect of its application in medicine and health will become more and more broad.
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