GABA

Definition

GABA (Gamma-Aminobutyric Acid) is a key neurotransmitter in the brain that inhibits nerve transmission, helping to regulate neuronal excitability. It plays a critical role in reducing neuronal activity and promoting relaxation and calmness.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. GABA is essential for preventing overstimulation of neurons, which can lead to neurological disorders.
2. Low levels of GABA have been associated with anxiety, depression, and insomnia.
3. Certain foods such as tea, soybeans, and fermented products can help increase GABA levels naturally.
4. GABA supplementation is sometimes used to support mental health, although its efficacy when taken orally is debated due to poor bioavailability.
5. Nutritional deficiencies in vitamins B6 and magnesium can impair GABA production.

Review Questions

• What role does GABA play in regulating neuronal excitability?
• How can diet influence GABA levels in the brain?
• What are potential consequences of low GABA levels on mental health?

Related terms

Neurotransmitter: Chemical substances that transmit signals across a synapse from one neuron to another.

Benzodiazepines:

A class of psychoactive drugs that enhance the effect of the neurotransmitter GABA at the GABA-A receptor.

Glutamate: An excitatory neurotransmitter that plays a key role in neural activation and synaptic plasticity.