Gamma-aminobutyric acid type A receptor (GABA_A receptor)

The gamma-aminobutyric acid type A receptor (GABA_A receptor) is a pentameric ligand-gated chloride ion channel that mediates the majority of fast inhibitory neurotransmission in the central nervous system[1][2][3][9]. Each receptor is assembled from five subunits, typically including combinations of α, β, and γ subunits, giving rise to substantial functional diversity[1][2][9]. Upon binding GABA (the major CNS inhibitory neurotransmitter), the receptor opens a central chloride-conducting pore, leading to hyperpolarization of the neuron and neuronal inhibition[1][7][9]. GABA_A receptors are the principal pharmacological targets for clinically important drug classes such as benzodiazepines, barbiturates, and general anesthetics[6][9]. Dysfunction or altered expression is implicated in epilepsy, anxiety, sleep disorders, and several neurodevelopmental and psychiatric conditions[7][9]. Additional clarification: The provided query ("Central nervous system GABA receptor") is not the most precise name. The correct, canonical target is the GABA_A receptor, which mediates the fast synaptic inhibition in the CNS. There are other GABA receptors (notably GABA_B and GABA_C/ρ), so the input is ambiguous and is marked as "is_incorrect: true" to flag lack of specificity and nomenclature precision[5][7]. The abbreviation "GABA" alone does not refer to a receptor, but to the ligand (γ-aminobutyric acid). If you require information about metabotropic GABA_B receptors, separate this as a distinct query.

Other names

GABA-A receptorGABA_A RGABA A receptorGamma-aminobutyric acid-A receptorGABA chloride channelGABA gated chloride channel

Positive allosteric modulation (e.g., benzodiazepines increase frequency of channel opening), Direct agonism (e.g., GABA, muscimol), Channel blockade (e.g., picrotoxin, inhibits channel function), Negative allosteric modulation (e.g., some convulsants).