Abstract
GABAB receptors are the metabotrophic receptors for GABA. They are members of the G-protein coupled superfamily of receptors but are highly unusual as they are made up of a dimer of 7-transmembrane spanning subunits. The receptors are widely distributed throughout the central nervous system where they act post-synaptically to cause a long-lasting hyperpolarisation through the activation of a potassium conductance. They are also present pre-synaptically where they act as auto and heteroreceptors to inhibit neurotransmitter release. GABAB receptors play a complex role in the regulation of excitatory transmission and their activation can have both inhibitory and dis-inhibitory effects. This has profound physiological and behavioural consequences including modification of LTP and memory, regulation of seizure activity and nociception.
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Marshall, F.H. (2007). The Role of GABAB Receptors in the Regulation of Excitatory Neurotransmission. In: Darlison, M.G. (eds) Inhibitory Regulation of Excitatory Neurotransmission. Results and Problems in Cell Differentiation, vol 44. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/400_2007_038
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