Gaba Receptors Transporters And Metabolism

Highlighting the current developments and future directions in GABA research, the ambitious aim of this topical volume is to cover GABA from the molecular mechanisms of its transmission to new targets for pharmaceutical research. Distinguished scientists at the forefront of GABA research were invited to contribute reviews on glutamate decarboxylase and autoimmunity, molecular structure and functional regulation of GABA transporters, transmitter release and GABA receptor regulation, GABA receptor subtypes and functional regulation, and GABA receptor ligands and their therapeutic application. Describing the latest advances in what has become a rapidly-evolving field, this volume will prove immensely valuable to neuroscientists, pharmacologists, biochemists, and physiologists working in the field of GABA research.

In this long-awaited 2nd edition of a classic book, leading neuroscientists critically review the latest advances made in our understanding of the fundamental molecular, biochemical, behavioral, and pharmacological properties of GABA receptors. The distinguished contributors clarify the approaches being taken to identify and develop new therapeutic agents for such neurological and psychiatric disorders as epilepsy, memory loss, affective illnesses, and psychosis. They also examine the therapeutic potential that remains in the cloning and expression of the GABA transporter, and in developing additional agents capable of regulating GABA receptor function. The book will play a key role in further expanding the list of drugs that interact with the GABA neurotransmitter system.

The ubiquitous presence of glutamate and GABA receptors in the nervous system makes these receptor systems pivotal to our understanding of neurotransmission. Cloning of the molecular components of these receptor systems has provided insights to the selectivity of many drugs and detailed characterisation at the molecular level is emerging. Moreover,

A great deal of progress has been made in defining GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid) transmission in the brain. Volume 54 of the Advances in Pharmacology series has also provided new insights into fundamental features of neurotransmission in general, such as the importance of allosterism and coincident signaling in regulating receptor function and overall cellular activity. These studies have led to the design and development of new drugs and potential therapeutic agents. Given the successes achieved over the first 50 years of GABA research, it is certain the 6th decade will yield its share of surprising discoveries and new insights. Published in this volume are articles providing thoughts and perspectives on this topic, some with the benefit of hindsight, others in the context of recent findings, but all with a hint, or prediction, of what the future holds as the secrets of GABA neurotransmission continue to unfold. Advances in Pharmacology is available online on ScienceDirect — full-text online of volumes 48 onwards. *GABA is an amino acid found in mammalian brain *Articles written by leading investigators in the field *Provides new insights into fundamental features of neurotransmission

This ambitious compendium provides an extensive overview on the "supporting cells" of the vertebrate central nervous system, these being glial cells which far outnumber neurons but are much less understood. Covering multiple aspects of this family of transporters-- from structural properties, to their involvement in signaling and gene expression regulation, this volume presents the most recent research on the roles of glial amino acid transporters as key molecules of brain metabolism and signaling.

GABA is the principal inhibitory neurotransmitter in the CNS and acts via GABAA and GABAB receptors. Recently, a novel form of GABAA receptor-mediated inhibition, termed “tonic” inhibition, has been described. Whereas synaptic GABAA receptors underlie classical “phasic” GABAA receptor-mediated inhibition (inhibitory postsynaptic currents), tonic GABAA receptor-mediated inhibition results from the activation of extrasynaptic receptors by low concentrations of ambient GABA. Extrasynaptic GABAA receptors are composed of receptor subunits that convey biophysical properties ideally suited to the generation of persistent inhibition and are pharmacologically and functionally distinct from their synaptic counterparts. This book highlights ongoing work examining the properties of recombinant and native extrasynaptic GABAA receptors and their preferential targeting by endogenous and clinically relevant agents. In addition, it emphasizes the important role of extrasynaptic GABAA receptors in GABAergic inhibition throughout the CNS and identifies them as a major player in both physiological and pathophysiological processes.

The ubiquitous presence of glutamate and GABA receptors in the nervous system makes these receptor systems pivotal to our understanding of neurotransmission. Cloning of the molecular components of these receptor systems has provided insights to the selectivity of many drugs and detailed characterisation at the molecular level is emerging. Moreover, continuous development of novel and selective drugs has revealed detailed information on the mechanism of receptor activation and regulation. However, the rapid development of different aspects of glutamate and GABA receptor research makes it increa.

Epilepsy research has entered an exciting phase as advances in molecular analysis have supplemented in vitro and in vivo electrophysiologic and phenotypic characterization. Recent Advances in Epilepsy Research sets forth a series of chapter reviews by researchers involved in these advances. This volume is a composite profile of some exciting recent investigations in select areas of enquiry. Key features: neurogenetics of seizure disorders, new developments in cellular and molecular neurobiology of seizure disorders, the role of growth factors in seizures, new advances in the roles of metabotropic glutamate receptors and GABA receptors and transporters, gap junctions, neuroimmunology of epilepsy, malformations of cortical development, neurogenesis, new animal models of epilepsy and the use of brain stimulation to treat epilepsy. This book should be of interest to a wide variety of audiences, including graduate students in neurobiology and related disciplines, neuroscientists, medical students, neurologists, neurosurgeons, and industry including pharmaceutical companies and medical device companies. There are many ideas in this book that will lead ingenious innovators in academia and industry to develop new and better therapies.