Definition of Gamma aminobutyric acid

1. Noun. An amino acid that is found in the central nervous system; acts as an inhibitory neurotransmitter.

Exact synonyms: Gaba
Generic synonyms: Amino Acid, Aminoalkanoic Acid, Neurotransmitter

Medical Definition of Gamma aminobutyric acid

1. An important amino acid which functions as the most prevalent inhibitory neurotransmitter in the central nervous system. Gamma aminobutyric acid works in partnership with a derivative of Vitamin B-6, pyridoxine, to cross from the axons to the dendrites through the synaptic cleft, in response to an electrical signal in the neuron and inhibits message transmission. This helps control the nerve cells from firing too fast, which would overload the system. The action of gamma aminobutyric acid decreases epileptic seizures and muscle spasms by inhibiting electrical signals in this manner. Studies have shown that the site of action in the brain of benzodiazepams, including Valium, is directly coupled to the brain receptor for gamma aminobutyric acid. Acronym: GABA (05 Jan 1998)

Lexicographical Neighbors of Gamma Aminobutyric Acid

gamma-hydroxybutyric acid
gamma-hydroxybutyric acids
gamma-interferon
gamma-iodopropyleneglycol
gamma-iron
gamma-l-glutamyl-l-cysteinylglycine
gamma-linolenic acid
gamma-oxalomesaconate hydratase
gamma-ray
gamma-ray burst
gamma-tocopherol
gamma-tocopherol methyltransferase
gamma-tolerance
gamma acid
gamma alcoholism
gamma aminobutyric acid (current term)
gamma aminobutyric acid receptor
gamma angle
gamma benzene hexachloride
gamma bomb
gamma bombs
gamma camera
gamma cameras
gamma cell of pancreas
gamma crystallin
gamma decay
gamma decays
gamma efferent
gamma emission
gamma encephalography

Literary usage of Gamma aminobutyric acid

Below you will find example usage of this term as found in modern and/or classical literature:

1. Alcohol and the Brain (1993)
"The binding of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) or benzodiazepines to their respective recognition sites on the receptor complex causes the ion channel to ..."

2. Stress, Gender, and Alcohol-Seeking Behavior edited by Walter A. Hunt, Sam Zakhari (1996)
"Gee, KW; Brinton, RE; Chang, WC; and McEwen, BS Gamma-aminobutyric acid-dependent modulation of the chloride ionophore by steroids in rat brain. ..."

3. Research on Alcohol and Alcoholism (1993)
"MK Ethanol potentiation of GABAergic transmission in cultured spinal cord neurons involves gamma-aminobutyric acid-gated chloride channels. ..."

4. A Lifelong Passion: Nicholas and Alexandra: Their Own Story by Andrei Maylunas (2005)
"... receptors mediating Inhibition of gamma- aminobutyric acid release in rat corpus striatum and their pharmacological characterization. ..."

5. Proceedings of the Society for Experimental Biology and Medicine (1903)
"6 Fusarium poae extracts, immunosuppressive effects of (mouse), 160, 302 Gamma aminobutyric acid G effect on prolactin secretion (rat), 161, ..."

6. Dwarf Mistletoes: Biology, Pathology, and Systematics by Frank G. Hawksworth, Delbert Wiens (1998)
"Arceuthobium abietinum contained gamma aminobutyric acid, but its host, Abies concolor, did not. Shoots of all mistletoes tested contained asparagine, ..."

7. Date Rape Drugs: Hearing Before the Committee on Commerce, U.S. House of edited by Fred Upton (1999)
"GHB is naturally occurring, and it is a metabolite of gamma aminobutyric acid in the human brain, and it occurs in other organs and tissues of the body. ..."

8. Alcohol and the Brain (1993)
"The binding of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) or benzodiazepines to their respective recognition sites on the receptor complex causes the ion channel to ..."

9. Stress, Gender, and Alcohol-Seeking Behavior edited by Walter A. Hunt, Sam Zakhari (1996)
"Gee, KW; Brinton, RE; Chang, WC; and McEwen, BS Gamma-aminobutyric acid-dependent modulation of the chloride ionophore by steroids in rat brain. ..."

10. Research on Alcohol and Alcoholism (1993)
"MK Ethanol potentiation of GABAergic transmission in cultured spinal cord neurons involves gamma-aminobutyric acid-gated chloride channels. ..."

11. A Lifelong Passion: Nicholas and Alexandra: Their Own Story by Andrei Maylunas (2005)
"... receptors mediating Inhibition of gamma- aminobutyric acid release in rat corpus striatum and their pharmacological characterization. ..."

12. Proceedings of the Society for Experimental Biology and Medicine (1903)
"6 Fusarium poae extracts, immunosuppressive effects of (mouse), 160, 302 Gamma aminobutyric acid G effect on prolactin secretion (rat), 161, ..."

13. Dwarf Mistletoes: Biology, Pathology, and Systematics by Frank G. Hawksworth, Delbert Wiens (1998)
"Arceuthobium abietinum contained gamma aminobutyric acid, but its host, Abies concolor, did not. Shoots of all mistletoes tested contained asparagine, ..."

14. Date Rape Drugs: Hearing Before the Committee on Commerce, U.S. House of edited by Fred Upton (1999)
"GHB is naturally occurring, and it is a metabolite of gamma aminobutyric acid in the human brain, and it occurs in other organs and tissues of the body. ..."

Other Resources:

Search for Gamma aminobutyric acid on Dictionary.com!Search for Gamma aminobutyric acid on Thesaurus.com!Search for Gamma aminobutyric acid on Google!Search for Gamma aminobutyric acid on Wikipedia!

Search