GABAergic neurons

Sci Am. 1988 Feb;258(2):82-9. doi: 10.1038/scientificamerican0288-82.

Abstract

One tends to think of the nervous system in terms of chains of excitatory signals that tell neurons to fire. The signals that say "Don't fire" also have a major role. Inhibitory signals damp overall neural activity and also fine-tune the responses of particular circuits. The primary carrier of these signals is the inhibitory transmitter known as GABA.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Benzodiazepines / pharmacology
  • Central Nervous System / cytology
  • Central Nervous System / physiology
  • Glutamate Decarboxylase / genetics
  • Humans
  • Neural Inhibition
  • Neurons / cytology
  • Neurons / metabolism
  • Neurons / physiology*
  • Receptors, GABA-A / genetics
  • Receptors, GABA-A / physiology
  • gamma-Aminobutyric Acid / metabolism
  • gamma-Aminobutyric Acid / physiology*

Substances

  • Receptors, GABA-A
  • Benzodiazepines
  • gamma-Aminobutyric Acid
  • Glutamate Decarboxylase