Gamma Aminobutyric Acid (GABA) is found in high concentration in the eyes and brain as a non-essential amino acid. The brain is able to produce GABA, but because of environmental or health reasons, levels can drop. The result is insomnia, irritability or anxiety. Depression has also been seen to be associated with low GABA levels.
GABA is the most important inhibitory neurotransmitter. Because it helps to prevent the transmission of cell-to-cell messages, GABA may assist your ability to deal with stress and anxiety. It can also encourage sleep and relaxation.
GABA has also been known to stimulate the pituitary gland, helping it to release more Human Growth Hormone (HGH). This powerful substance limits fat cell development and helps muscles to grow. In some studies, GABA helped participants lose fat. In people over the age of 40, HGH levels may drop, resulting in sleep difficulties. GABA’s ability to boost HGH levels may lead to better sleep.
GABA is abbreviated as Gamma Amino Butyric Acid is one of the most important inhibitory neuron transmitter in the central nervous system of mammals. It is responsible for the regulation of the neuronal excitability in mammals while in some insects it acts only on the excitation of the nerve receptors. Though it is an amino acid, it usually is never referred to as an amino acid.
GABA acts only in the inhibitory synapses in the brain. The function is carried out by the binding of this substance to certain Trans membrane receptors which are present in the plasma membrane. These receptors may be present in either the pre synaptic neuronal process or the post synaptic neuronal process or both. Once GABA is attached to the Trans membrane, it facilitates the opening and closing of the ion channels to allow the negatively charged chloride ions to enter the cell or the positively charged potassium cell to move out of the cell. This movement of ions in to or out of the cell results in a process called hyper polarisation which implies that the Trans membrane potential is now negative. There are two basic types of GABA receptors namely the GABAa and the GABAc. Both these are ionic channels themselves and are hence called ionotropic receptors. There is another class of receptor known as the GABAb receptor which is metabotropic receptors. These receptors open the ionic channels by means of an intermediate which are usually G proteins.
In human beings, the GABA acts only as an inhibitor at the receptor whereas in insects, it causes the excitation of muscles and mediation on muscle activity at the synapse between the nerve cell and the muscle. In some species, it can also stimulate certain glands which make it very important for the function of life.
In the neuro cortex and the Hippocampus of the human brain, GABA has mainly excitatory effects until glutamate synapses develop to maturity stage. GABA also controls the elongation of neurites, formation of synapses and the development of the neural progenitor cells. The effect on the neural progenitor cell is brought about the Brain Derived Neurotrophic Factor or BDNF. The growth and development of neural stem cell and the embryonic cells is also believed to be controlled by GABA.
GABA absorption may be affected due to a disorder called spastic diplegia. This leads to a condition called hypertonia in the muscles that were being supplied by the GABA receptors. Some common drugs that are known to affect GABA receptors are alcohol, barbiturates, baclofen, thujone, Valerian Extract, picamilon, muscimol, picrotoxin and gabazine.
