GABA antagonist

a substance that exerts an antagonistic (inhibitive) effect at gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) receptor sites (see GABA_A receptorgabaa-receptor; GABA_B receptorgabab-receptor) or on the action of GABA. Like GABA agonists, GABA antagonists can be direct or indirect. Direct GABA antagonists block the GABA receptor; the best known of these is bicuculline, which acts as a competitive antagonist for GABA at its receptor site. Indirect GABA antagonists include picrotoxin, which is a noncompetitive antagonist at the GABA_A receptor complex and blocks the effects of GABA on the receptor complex.

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Psychology term of the day

July 27th 2024

defensible space

a set of principles and guidelines for the design and planning of settings to reduce crime. Among the critical elements of defensible space are the creation of shared territories in which people have collective control, good surveillance, and markers and other symbols of ownership and primary territory. See territoriality.