The Effect of Benzodiazepine Drugs on the GABA(A) Receptor

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4 word format

document in english

biology

school essay

published 17/09/2007

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level : General public

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The GABA(A) receptor plays a vital role in the mammalian brain and is responsible for a large majority of inhibitory neurotransmissions in the central nervous system (Perrine 144). The GABA(A) receptor is a member of the ionotropic (ligand gated) family of receptors that uses GABA, otherwise known as γ-aminobutyric acid, as its ligand. The binding of GABA to the receptor opens the associated ion channel, which in this case is selectively permeable to chlorine ions as they pass down their electrochemical gradient. The negatively charged chlorine ions passing into the cell further negate the postsynaptic membrane potential, usually hyperpolarizing it. This makes it more difficult to depolarize the cell and decreases the probability of further propagation of action potential.

The GABA(A) receptor plays a vital role in the mammalian brain and is responsible for a large majority of inhibitory neurotransmissions in the central nervous system
The GABA(A) receptor consists of five glycoprotein subunits
Other binding sites exist along the protein shell of the GABA(A) receptor complex, including binding sites for agonists (activating ligands) such as barbiturates(sedatives), certain steroids and benzodiazepines
Diazepam, commonly known as Valium, with its trademark electron attracting group at the 7th position
with an ' subunit but the aforementioned two GABA ligands are still necessary for the ion channel to open
Out of the many types of GABA(A) receptors in the nervous system, it is believed that only a few are affected by benzodiazepines
There exist three types of benzodiazepines, short lasting, intermediate lasting and long lasting.
With all these positive effects of benzodiazepines, there is always the risk of taking too much.
With all these positive effects of benzodiazepines, there is always the risk of taking too much.