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GABAB receptor

one of the two main types of receptor protein that bind the neurotransmitter gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), the other being the GABAA receptorgabaa-receptor. GABAB receptors, which are G protein-coupled receptors, are less plentiful in the brain than GABAA receptors and do not have binding sites for benzodiazepine or barbiturate GABA agonists. Activation of GABAB receptors results in relatively long-lasting neuronal inhibition, but few psychotropic substances exert their effect at these receptors: Baclofen is a relatively selective agonist at GABAB receptors and is used clinically as a skeletal muscle relaxant.

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Psychology term of the day

July 27th 2024

primary insomnia

primary insomnia

in DSM–IV–TR, a sleep disorder characterized by difficulty in initiating or maintaining a restorative sleep to a degree in which the severity and persistence of the sleep disturbance causes clinically significant distress, impairment in a significant area of functioning, or both. The disorder is not caused by a general medical condition or the effects of a substance and is not exclusively an aspect of another sleep disorder or mental disorder. It is termed insomnia disorder in DSM–5. See dyssomnia. Compare primary hypersomnia.