Question

What is a GABAergic neuron and how is it used?

Answer 1

Hint: A nerve cell releases chemical messengers that transmit a message from across the synapse to a target cell. These chemical messengers are known as neurotransmitters. The target cell can be a nerve cell, muscle cell, and gland cell. They are chemicals made by the nerve cell that are needed specifically to transmit the message.

Complete answer:
GABA is also known as gamma-aminobutyric acid. It is the chief inhibitory neurotransmitter in the central nervous system of the mammals. The principal role of GABA is to reduce the neuronal excitability throughout the nervous system.

The neurons that produce GABA or gamma-aminobutyric acid as their output are known as the GABAergic neurons. In the adult vertebrate, these neurons chiefly are inhibitory in action at receptors end. A typical example of GABAergic cells exhibiting inhibitory action in the central nervous system are the medium spiny cells.

A single neuron receives synapses of other neurons. Some of the neurons release activating neurotransmitters while the others may release inhibitory or hyperpolarizing neurotransmitters. In every region of the brain, the neurons use GABA to fine-tune and precise the action of neurotransmission. The amount of increasing GABA at the neuronal synapse decreases the generation of the action potential of the neuron and as a result, neurons are less likely to excite other nearby neurons.

Thus, GABA is the primary inhibitory neurotransmitter and it works to decrease the action potential of a neuron. The neuron will not generate action potentials when the action potential drops below a certain level which is known as the threshold potential. This will not excite nearby neurons.

GABAergic neurons may exhibit both excitatory and inhibitory actions in insects. It mediates the muscle activation at synapses between nerves and muscle cells. In some cases, the stimulation of certain glands is also affected by GABAergic neurons. Some of the GABAergic neurons are also able to excite their glutamatergic counterparts. These GABAergic neurons are known as chandelier cells.

Note: Gamma-aminobutyric acid, or GABA, is a neurotransmitter. It sends chemical messages through the brain and the nervous system. It is involved in regulating communication between brain cells. The GABA releasing neurons are known as GABAergic neurons and are used as an inhibitory or hyperpolarization of neighboring neurons.