Article ID Journal Published Year Pages File Type
2013978 Pharmacology Biochemistry and Behavior 2008 6 Pages PDF
Abstract

The identification of γ-aminobutyric acid A (GABAA) receptor subunit genes over the last twenty years has shown that GABAA receptors are made up of many different subtypes. As such the dissection of which receptor subtypes mediate which functions of clinically useful GABAergic drugs, such as benzodiazepines, has been extremely complicated. Two complimentary approaches have been taken: the development of subtype-selective drugs and the genetic manipulation of different receptor subunits. Both have yielded exciting results, but sometimes with contradictory findings. This review highlights the strengths and weaknesses of both approaches, illustrating with specific discussion of the work, to uncover which receptor subtype(s) mediates the anxiolytic effects of benzodiazepines.

Related Topics
Life Sciences Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology Biochemistry
Authors
,