GABA
Main inhibitory neurotransmitter in the mammalian brain / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
For other uses, see Gaba (disambiguation).
GABA (gamma Aminobutyric acid, γ-Aminobutyric acid) is the chief inhibitory neurotransmitter in the developmentally mature mammalian central nervous system. Its principal role is reducing neuronal excitability throughout the nervous system.
Quick Facts Names, Identifiers ...
Names | |
---|---|
Pronunciation | /ˈɡæmə əˈmiːnoʊbjuːˈtɪrɪk ˈæsɪd/, /ˈɡæbə/ (GABA) |
Preferred IUPAC name
4-Aminobutanoic acid | |
Other names
γ-Aminobutanoic acid 4-Aminobutyric acid 3-Carboxypropylamine Piperidic acid Piperidinic acid | |
Identifiers | |
| |
3D model (JSmol) |
|
906818 | |
ChEBI | |
ChEMBL |
|
ChemSpider |
|
DrugBank |
|
ECHA InfoCard | 100.000.235 |
EC Number |
|
49775 | |
KEGG |
|
MeSH | gamma-Aminobutyric+Acid |
PubChem CID |
|
RTECS number |
|
UNII | |
CompTox Dashboard (EPA) |
|
| |
| |
Properties | |
C4H9NO2 | |
Molar mass | 103.121 g·mol−1 |
Appearance | white microcrystalline powder |
Density | 1.11 g/mL |
Melting point | 203.7 °C (398.7 °F; 476.8 K) |
Boiling point | 247.9 °C (478.2 °F; 521.0 K) |
130 g/100 ml | |
log P | −3.17 |
Acidity (pKa) |
|
Hazards | |
Occupational safety and health (OHS/OSH): | |
Main hazards |
Irritant, Harmful |
Lethal dose or concentration (LD, LC): | |
LD50 (median dose) |
12,680 mg/kg (mouse, oral) |
Except where otherwise noted, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C [77 °F], 100 kPa).
|
Close
GABA is sold as a dietary supplement in many countries. It has been traditionally thought that exogenous GABA (i.e., taken as a supplement) does not cross the blood–brain barrier, but data obtained from more recent research (2010s) in rats describes the notion as being unclear.[2][3]
The carboxylate form of GABA is γ-aminobutyrate.