Abstract
Considerable evidence has been provided these last years for the involvement of the GABA-A receptor complex in memory processes. Compounds that enhance the action of GABA, such as benzodiazepines, impair memory processing. On the contrary, compounds that reduce the action of GABA, such as ß-CCM, pentylenetetrazol or picrotoxin, have the opposite action, that is : enhance memory processing. All these actions seem to focus mainly on the acquisition (learning) processes. Depending on the dose, the same compounds also have effects on anxiety and on seizuring. Benzodiazepines are well-known anxiolytic and anticonvulsant agents whereas compounds that reduce the action of GABA have been found to produce anxiogenic and convulsant actions. The GABA-A receptor complex might thus be the location of a possible link between a pathological state (epilepsy) and two normal functions (anxiety and learning). This link is likely to involve common genetic pathways. In the normal subject, these data also emphasize the idea that normal memory processing involves a moderate level of anxiety.
Keywords: gaba receptor complex, pentylenetetrazol, picrotoxin, learning, anxiety, epilepsy
Current Topics in Medicinal Chemistry
Title: GABA-A Receptor Complex and Memory Processes
Volume: 2 Issue: 8
Author(s): Georges Chapouthier and Patrice Venault
Affiliation:
Keywords: gaba receptor complex, pentylenetetrazol, picrotoxin, learning, anxiety, epilepsy
Abstract: Considerable evidence has been provided these last years for the involvement of the GABA-A receptor complex in memory processes. Compounds that enhance the action of GABA, such as benzodiazepines, impair memory processing. On the contrary, compounds that reduce the action of GABA, such as ß-CCM, pentylenetetrazol or picrotoxin, have the opposite action, that is : enhance memory processing. All these actions seem to focus mainly on the acquisition (learning) processes. Depending on the dose, the same compounds also have effects on anxiety and on seizuring. Benzodiazepines are well-known anxiolytic and anticonvulsant agents whereas compounds that reduce the action of GABA have been found to produce anxiogenic and convulsant actions. The GABA-A receptor complex might thus be the location of a possible link between a pathological state (epilepsy) and two normal functions (anxiety and learning). This link is likely to involve common genetic pathways. In the normal subject, these data also emphasize the idea that normal memory processing involves a moderate level of anxiety.
Export Options
About this article
Cite this article as:
Chapouthier Georges and Venault Patrice, GABA-A Receptor Complex and Memory Processes, Current Topics in Medicinal Chemistry 2002; 2 (8) . https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/1568026023393552
DOI https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/1568026023393552 |
Print ISSN 1568-0266 |
Publisher Name Bentham Science Publisher |
Online ISSN 1873-4294 |
Call for Papers in Thematic Issues
Chemistry Based on Natural Products for Therapeutic Purposes
The development of new pharmaceuticals for a wide range of medical conditions has long relied on the identification of promising natural products (NPs). There are over sixty percent of cancer, infectious illness, and CNS disease medications that include an NP pharmacophore, according to the Food and Drug Administration. Since NP ...read more
Current Trends in Drug Discovery Based on Artificial Intelligence and Computer-Aided Drug Design
Drug development discovery has faced several challenges over the years. In fact, the evolution of classical approaches to modern methods using computational methods, or Computer-Aided Drug Design (CADD), has shown promising and essential results in any drug discovery campaign. Among these methods, molecular docking is one of the most notable ...read more
Drug Discovery in the Age of Artificial Intelligence
In the age of artificial intelligence (AI), we have witnessed a significant boom in AI techniques for drug discovery. AI techniques are increasingly integrated and accelerating the drug discovery process. These developments have not only attracted the attention of academia and industry but also raised important questions regarding the selection ...read more
From Biodiversity to Chemical Diversity: Focus of Flavonoids
Flavonoids are the largest group of polyphenols, plant secondary metabolites arising from the essential aromatic amino acid phenylalanine (or more rarely from tyrosine) via the phenylpropanoid pathway. The flavan nucleus is the basic 15-carbon skeleton of flavonoids (C6-C3-C6), which consists of two phenyl rings (A and B) and a heterocyclic ...read more
- Author Guidelines
- Graphical Abstracts
- Fabricating and Stating False Information
- Research Misconduct
- Post Publication Discussions and Corrections
- Publishing Ethics and Rectitude
- Increase Visibility of Your Article
- Archiving Policies
- Peer Review Workflow
- Order Your Article Before Print
- Promote Your Article
- Manuscript Transfer Facility
- Editorial Policies
- Allegations from Whistleblowers
- Announcements
Related Articles
-
Potassium Channels as Targets for the Management of Pain
Central Nervous System Agents in Medicinal Chemistry Mind-Body Practices and the Adolescent Brain: Clinical Neuroimaging Studies
Adolescent Psychiatry Mossy Fiber Sprouting as a Potential Therapeutic Target for Epilepsy
Current Neurovascular Research Editorial (Thematic Issue: In vivo MRS: Techniques and Applications)
Current Molecular Imaging (Discontinued) Spontaneous Recurrent Seizures Mediated Cardiac Dysfunction via mTOR Pathway Upregulation: A Putative Target for SUDEP Management
CNS & Neurological Disorders - Drug Targets Aquaporins and Glia
Current Neuropharmacology A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Pilot Trial of Safety and Tolerability of Two Doses of Divalproex Sodium in Outpatients with Probable Alzheimers Disease
Current Alzheimer Research Ionotropic Glutamate Receptor Biology: Effect on Synaptic Connectivity and Function in Neurological Disease
Current Medicinal Chemistry The FDG-PET Revolution of Medical Imaging – Four Decades and Beyond
Current Molecular Imaging (Discontinued) Opioid Transport by ATP-Binding Cassette Transporters at the Blood-Brain Barrier: Implications for Neuropsychopharmacology
Current Pharmaceutical Design Integrated Application of Enhanced Replacement Method and Ensemble Learning for the Prediction of BCRP/ABCG2 Substrates
Current Bioinformatics The Quantitative Structure-Activity Relationships between GABAA Receptor and Ligands based on Binding Interface Characteristic
Current Computer-Aided Drug Design Drug Design Strategies for the Discovery of Novel Anticonvulsants Concerned with Four Site Binding Pharmacophoric Model Studies
Central Nervous System Agents in Medicinal Chemistry Computer-Aided Recognition of ABC Transporters Substrates and Its Application to the Development of New Drugs for Refractory Epilepsy
Mini-Reviews in Medicinal Chemistry Types of Voltage-Gated Calcium Channels: Molecular and Electrophysiological Views
Current Hypertension Reviews Role of Mesenchymal Stem Cells in Dermal Repair in Burns and Diabetic Wounds
Current Stem Cell Research & Therapy The Mutual Interaction Between Sleep and Epilepsy on the Neurobiological Basis and Therapy
Current Neuropharmacology Global Expression Studies of Schizophrenic Brain: A Meta-Analysis Study Linking Neurological Immune System with Psychological Disorders
CNS & Neurological Disorders - Drug Targets 2-Arylindoles: A Privileged Molecular Scaffold with Potent, Broad-Ranging Pharmacological Activity
Current Medicinal Chemistry Cannabis Associated “High” Cardiovascular Morbidity and Mortality: Marijuana Smoke Like Tobacco Smoke? A Déjà Vu/Déjà Vécu Story?
Mini-Reviews in Medicinal Chemistry