GABA-ergic drugs: exit stage left, enter stage right
by
Ashton H, Young AH.
Department of Psychiatry,
University of Newcastle upon Tyne,
Royal Victoria Infirmary,
Newcastle upon Tyne, UK.
J Psychopharmacol. 2003 Jun;17(2):174-8

ABSTRACT

Drugs that enhance gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) activity by interacting at post-synaptic GABA(A) receptors have long been used as hypnotics, sedatives, tranquillizers and anticonvulsants. In this category, benzodiazepines rapidly gained pride of place, replacing barbiturates and becoming the most commonly prescribed of all drugs in the Western world in the 1970s. However, problems such as dependence and withdrawal reactions became apparent in the 1980s, and it seemed that the usefulness of drugs with this mode of action was limited. Recently, focus has shifted to a new group of drugs with GABA-ergic actions mediated through various mechanisms not directly involving the GABA(A) receptor. These drugs include gabapentin, vigabatrin, tiagabine, lamotrigine, pregabalin and others. Although originally developed as anticonvulsants for epilepsy, they appear to have wider applications for use in affective disorders, especially bipolar depression, anxiety disorders and pain conditions. The current information on the properties and therapeutic potential of this new generation of GABA-ergic drugs is reviewed. It remains to be seen whether long-term use leads to tolerance, dependence and withdrawal or discontinuation reactions.

PTZ
GABA(A)
GABA(B)
GABA(C)
Phenibut
Sedatives
Pregabilin
Tiagabine
Gabapentin
Lamotrigine
Benzo choices
GABA and sleep
Anticonvulsants
Benzodiazepines
Neuroactive steroids
GABA(A) and fluoxetine
Anxiolytics and antidepressants
GABA, pain and the cerebral cortex
Anxiety and anxioselective anxiolytics
Anxioselective compounds and GABA(A)
Diazepam (Valium) and the potato: the natural origin of benzodiazepines

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