GABA

γ-Aminobutyric acid

GABA is gamma-Aminobutyric acid (γ-Aminobutyric acid). It is a neurotransmitter in the central nervous system of mammals. It is an inhibiting neurotransmitter. Normally, when a neuron receives an impulse, it will make the signal stronger. In the case where there is an inhibiting neurotransmitter, the cell will no longer get the impulse, and the signal as a whole will be weakened.

GABA regulates how much neurons in the central nervous system will be stimulated in humans, and other mammals. It plays a role in regulating neuronal excitability throughout the nervous system. In humans, GABA is also directly responsible for the regulation of muscle tone.^[1] In insect species GABA acts only on excitatory nerve receptors.

Even though chemically it is an amino acid, GABA is rarely referred to as such in the scientific or medical communities. The term "amino acid," used without a qualifier, refers to the alpha amino acids, which GABA is not. GABA is also not incorporated into proteins.

1. ↑ Watanabe M.; et al. (2002). "GABA and GABA receptors in the central nervous system and other organs". Int. Rev. Cytol. International Review of Cytology. 213: 1–47. doi:10.1016/S0074-7696(02)13011-7. ISBN 9780123646170. PMID 11837891.