Fundamental Neurochemistry Review: GABAA receptor neurotransmission and epilepsy: Principles, disease mechanisms and pharmacotherapy

Alexander Bryson; Christopher Reid; Steven Petrou

doi:10.1111/jnc.15769

Fundamental Neurochemistry Review: GABA_A receptor neurotransmission and epilepsy: Principles, disease mechanisms and pharmacotherapy

J Neurochem. 2023 Apr;165(1):6-28. doi: 10.1111/jnc.15769. Epub 2023 Feb 18.

Authors

Alexander Bryson^{1

2}, Christopher Reid¹, Steven Petrou^{1

3}

Affiliations

¹ The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia.
² Department of Neurology, Austin Health, Heidelberg, Victoria, Australia.
³ Praxis Precision Medicines, Inc., Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA.

PMID: 36681890
DOI: 10.1111/jnc.15769

Abstract

Epilepsy is a common neurological disorder associated with alterations of excitation-inhibition balance within brain neuronal networks. GABA_A receptor neurotransmission is the most prevalent form of inhibitory neurotransmission and is strongly implicated in both the pathophysiology and treatment of epilepsy, serving as a primary target for antiseizure medications for over a century. It is now established that GABA exerts a multifaceted influence through an array of GABA_A receptor subtypes that extends far beyond simply negating excitatory activity. As the role of GABA_A neurotransmission within inhibitory circuits is elaborated, this will enable the development of precision therapies that correct the network dysfunction underlying epileptic pathology.

Keywords: GABA; epilepsy; neurotransmission.

Publication types

Review
Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Epilepsy* / drug therapy
Humans
Neurochemistry*
Receptors, GABA-A / metabolism
Synaptic Transmission / physiology
gamma-Aminobutyric Acid

Substances

Receptors, GABA-A
gamma-Aminobutyric Acid