The value of genetic and pharmacological approaches to understanding the complexities of GABA A receptor subtype functions: The anxiolytic effects of benzodiazepines

The identification of γ-aminobutyric acid A (GABA A) receptor subunit genes over the last twenty years has shown that GABA A 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 benzo...

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Published inPharmacology, biochemistry and behavior Vol. 90; no. 1; pp. 37 - 42
Main Author Reynolds, David S.
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published United States Elsevier Inc 01.07.2008
Subjects
Animals
Anti-Anxiety Agents - pharmacology
Anxiety
Benzodiazepine
Benzodiazepines - pharmacology
GABA
GABA Modulators - pharmacology
Knock-in
Mice
Mice, Knockout
Receptors, GABA-A - drug effects
Receptors, GABA-A - genetics
Transgenic
GABA
Transgenic
Anxiety
Knock-in
Benzodiazepine
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Summary:The identification of γ-aminobutyric acid A (GABA A) receptor subunit genes over the last twenty years has shown that GABA A 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.
Bibliography:ObjectType-Article-1
SourceType-Scholarly Journals-1
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ISSN:0091-3057
DOI:10.1016/j.pbb.2008.03.015