GABA Metabolism in the CNS in Addiction

What is GABA?

Known as Gamma-Amino Butyric acid, it is an amino acid that performs functions of neurotransmitters in the brain.it is the most abundant neurotransmitters occurring in the central nervous system (CNS).it acts as an inhibitor of transmissions in the brain thus in the process calming down activities in the nervous system. It is found as a supplement in which it acts as a natural tranquilizer. It has been shown to increase levels of human growth hormones thus is very popular among body builders.

The Neurotransmitters Question

The brain is made up of millions of cells. Communication takes place from one brain region to another through neurotransmitters. Neurons are individual cells of the nerves that make up the nervous system. They serve as the wiring for the body to transmit information form one region to another. The electrical signals generated are transported through the neurons as a single impulse. Ones the impulses reaches the end of the neurons, it is transmitted to the other cell through neurotransmitters.

The central nervous system consists of the spinal cord and the brain. The two consist of neurotransmitters which pass from one end of the neuron to another. The peripheral nervous system which is made up of nerves that run to the rest of the body. The nerves transmit chemical signals from one neuron t adjacent gland cells and muscles.

GABA and glutamate are the most abundantly occurring neurotransmitters in the nervous system. The two are in abundance in the cerebral cortex which is the region where interpretation of sensation takes place and thinking occurs. The ending of the neurons are made up of sac like structures which are filled with neurotransmitters.

GABA

When the chemical and electrical signals reach the end of the neurons, they trigger the sacs to release neurotransmitters to act as a bridge between one nerve cell and another. The spaces called synapses act as a bridge through which signals pass to the other cells. On reaching the other neuron, the neurotransmitters attach to the cell receptors. This triggers the electric impulse to move from the end of the nerve cell neuron to the other cell completing the message transmission and triggering and effect.

Role of GABA In the Brain

It is formed in the cells of the brain from glutamate. GABA acts as an inhibitory neurotransmitter which simply means that it blocks nerve impulses in the brain. On the other hand, glutamate from which GABA is formed is an excitatory neurotransmitter. When it binds to cells adjacent to it, it activates them to send impulses throughout the brain from one cell to another. GABA instead of telling the brain to activate and send impulses, it tells it he opposite. It stimulates the brain not to send nerve impulses from one cell to another.

In the absence of GABA nerve cells tend to activate more often sending signals regularly. Disorders associated with anxiety such as headaches, addiction, panic attacks, Parkinson syndrome, cognitive impairment and seizures are all linked to low activity of GABA.

It naturally hinders nerve impulses transmission from one cell to another. It brings about a calming effect in the process. The best way to understand the significance of GABA is by understanding the effects of caffeine on the brain. Caffeine acts as an inhibitor of the release of GABA. When the levels of GABA are low in the brain, more nerve transmissions take place. This leads to the sensational feeling that one gets when they takes coffee. This feeling is as a result of activity of glutamate with less GABA.

The reason why, caffeine does this is simply because other molecules tend to bind with the neurons near the site where GABA binds with these neurons. This is exactly the way that basic tranquilizers like barbiturates and Benzodiazepines work. They increase the effects of GABA in the body which in turns inhibits the transmission of nerves.

GABA Metabolism

It is synthesized in a metabolic path known as the GABA shunt. The first step in GABA formation uses a-ketoglutarate that is formed from metabolism of glucose in the Kreb’s cycle. Afterwards a-ketoglutarate is processed by a-oxoglutarate to form glutamate. In the final process, the glutamate undergoes decarboxylation to form GABA through the glutamic acid decarboxylase enzyme. Like other neurotransmitters, GABA is stored in the synaptic vesicles of the brain and is only released when depolarization of the presynaptic membrane takes place.

GABA

GABA and Addiction

Alcohol consumption leads to loss of coordination of the motors as well as sedation as other high levels of inhibitory transmitters do. Studies therefore show that GABA effects contribute to some effects of alcohol in the brain. Past studies show that, GABA as an inhibitory neurotransmitter is affected by alcohol consumption. Continuous alcohol consumption leading to addiction lead to decline in GABA receptors found in the brain and his reduces the ability of the neurotransmitter t bind with cell receptors.

In this case, the body is forced to find ways to compensate for the declined levels of GABA neurotransmitters. These effects are responsible for brain function changes that lead to things like dependence and alcohol tolerance. When one withdraws from alcohol, the stimulating effects on the neurotransmitter disappear. The body has very few GABA receptors needed to balance the effects of excitatory neurotransmitters. Because of this the brain has too many excitatory nerve signals being transmitted. This translates to psychological and physical effects of alcohol addiction and withdrawal.

Dr. Dalal Akoury has years of experience with patients of addiction and other health conditions. This enables her to provide wise counsel to patients who may be going through certain health conditions. Many of these patients have gotten better and they now bear witness to her god works. To become part of this community and to receive regular health and awareness tips that will befit you, visit www.awaremednetwork.com today.