GABA

See also: gaba, Gaba, and gába

English

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /ˈɡæbə/
• Rhymes: -æbə

Noun

GABA

1. (organic chemistry) Acronym of gamma-aminobutyric acid.
   • 2001, Leslie Iversen, Drugs: A Very Short Introduction, Oxford, page 58:

     [Valium] was followed by many imitators, all sharing the same pharmacological mechanism, which is to enhance the actions of the key inhibitory brain chemical messenger GABA.

   • 2003, Samuel H. Barondes, chapter 4, in Better than Prozac, Oxford University Press, →ISBN, page 54:

     Its action as an inhibitor also distinguishes GABA from the “big three” amines—dopamine, norepinephrine, and serotonin—which generally stimulate brain circuits.

Derived terms

• GABAergic