In
molecular biology
Molecular biology is the branch of biology that seeks to understand the molecular basis of biological activity in and between cells, including biomolecular synthesis, modification, mechanisms, and interactions. The study of chemical and physi ...
and physiology, something is GABAergic or GABAnergic if it pertains to or affects the
neurotransmitter GABA. For example, a
synapse is GABAergic if it uses GABA as its neurotransmitter, and a GABAergic
neuron
A neuron, neurone, or nerve cell is an electrically excitable cell that communicates with other cells via specialized connections called synapses. The neuron is the main component of nervous tissue in all animals except sponges and placozoa. ...
produces GABA. A substance is GABAergic if it produces its effects via interactions with the
GABA system, such as by stimulating or
blocking neurotransmission
Neurotransmission (Latin: ''transmissio'' "passage, crossing" from ''transmittere'' "send, let through") is the process by which signaling molecules called neurotransmitters are released by the axon terminal of a neuron (the presynaptic neuron), ...
.
A GABAergic or GABAnergic agent is any chemical that modifies the effects of GABA in the body or brain. Some different classes of GABAergic drugs include
agonists
An agonist is a chemical that activates a receptor to produce a biological response. Receptors are cellular proteins whose activation causes the cell to modify what it is currently doing. In contrast, an antagonist blocks the action of the agon ...
,
antagonists
An antagonist is a character in a story who is presented as the chief foe of the protagonist.
Etymology
The English word antagonist comes from the Greek ἀνταγωνιστής – ''antagonistēs'', "opponent, competitor, villain, enemy, ri ...
, modulators,
reuptake inhibitors and enzymes.
See also
*
GABA reuptake inhibitor
A GABA reuptake inhibitor (GRI) is a type of drug which acts as a reuptake inhibitor for the neurotransmitter gamma-Aminobutyric acid (GABA) by blocking the action of the gamma-Aminobutyric acid transporters (GATs). This in turn leads to incre ...
*
Adenosinergic
Adenosinergic means "working on adenosine".
An adenosinergic agent (or drug) is a chemical which functions to directly modulate the adenosine system in the body or brain. Examples include adenosine receptor agonists, adenosine receptor antagonists ...
*
Adrenergic
Adrenergic means "working on adrenaline (epinephrine) or noradrenaline (norepinephrine)" (or on their receptors). When not further qualified, it is usually used in the sense of enhancing or mimicking the effects of epinephrine and norepinephrine ...
*
Cannabinoidergic
Cannabinoidergic, or cannabinergic, means "working on the endocannabinoid neurotransmitters". As with terms such as dopaminergic and serotonergic, related proteins and cellular components involved endocannabinoid signaling, such as the cannabi ...
*
Cholinergic
Cholinergic agents are compounds which mimic the action of acetylcholine and/or butyrylcholine. In general, the word " choline" describes the various quaternary ammonium salts containing the ''N'',''N'',''N''-trimethylethanolammonium cati ...
*
Dopaminergic
*
Glycinergic
A glycinergic agent (or drug) is a chemical which functions to directly modulate the glycine system in the body or brain. Examples include glycine receptor agonists, glycine receptor antagonists, and glycine reuptake inhibitors.
See also
* Adenos ...
*
Histaminergic
Histaminergic means "working on the histamine system", and histaminic means "related to histamine".
A histaminergic agent (or drug) is a chemical which functions to directly modulate the histamine system in the body or brain. Examples include his ...
*
Melatonergic
A melatonergic agent (or drug) is a chemical which functions to directly modulate the melatonin system in the body or brain. Examples include melatonin receptor agonists and melatonin receptor antagonists.
See also
* Adenosinergic
* Adrenergi ...
*
Monoaminergic
Monoaminergic means "working on monoamine neurotransmitters", which include serotonin, dopamine, norepinephrine, epinephrine, and histamine.
A monoaminergic, or monoaminergic drug, is a chemical, which functions to directly modulate the ser ...
*
Opioidergic
An opioidergic agent (or drug) is a chemical which functions to directly modulate the opioid neuropeptide systems (i.e., endorphin, enkephalin, dynorphin, nociceptin) in the body or brain. Examples include opioid analgesics such as morphine a ...
*
Serotonergic
Serotonergic () or serotoninergic () means "pertaining to or affecting serotonin". Serotonin is a neurotransmitter. A synapse is serotonergic if it uses serotonin as its neurotransmitter. A serotonergic neuron ''produces'' serotonin. A substance is ...
References
Neurochemistry
Neurotransmitters
{{nervous-system-drug-stub