Skip to main content

GABA (γ-Aminobutyric Acid)

  • Reference work entry
  • First Online:
Encyclopedia of Signaling Molecules

Synonyms

GABA; Gamma-aminobutyric acid; γ-Aminobutyric acid

Historical Background

For a long time, GABA (Fig. 1) was known only as a product of plant and microbial metabolism. It was first synthesized in 1883, and in 1950 it was realized that GABA is present in the mammalian central nervous system. As an inhibitory neurotransmitter, GABA was recognized in 1967 in experiments showing that nerve and muscle cells challenged by GABA undergo ion-mediated changes in conductance similar to those found following activation of inhibitory neurons (for review see Dreifuss et al. 1969). In the following years, dictinct roles, as well as biosynthetic and metabolic pathways of GABA were described, and its place of synthesis determined.

GABA (γ-Aminobutyric Acid), Fig. 1
figure 814 figure 814

GABA molecule

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 4,499.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Hardcover Book
USD 4,499.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

References

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Vlainic Josipa .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2018 Springer International Publishing AG

About this entry

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this entry

Josipa, V., Maja, J.J. (2018). GABA (γ-Aminobutyric Acid). In: Choi, S. (eds) Encyclopedia of Signaling Molecules. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-67199-4_101632

Download citation

Publish with us

Policies and ethics