Pharmacology Notes

Gamma-Aminobutyric Acid
Gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) is distributed throughout the brain and spinal cord. It is now considered to be the major inhibitory neurotransmitter in the CNS and it acts to modulate the activity of excitatory pathways. It is formed from the excitatory neurotransmitter glutamate. Motor control, consciousness, levels of arousal, and memory formation are all inhibited by GABA. GABA has mostly excitatory eff ects during early development. It  has been purported to increase the amounts of human growth hormone. It is unknown if GABA can cross the blood-brain barrier.