GABA Research
43 peer-reviewed studies · Evidence score: 8.5/10
Glutamatergic and GABAergic metabolite levels in schizophrenia-spectrum disorders: a meta-analysis of (1)H-magnetic resonance spectroscopy studies
Nakahara T et al. • Molecular psychiatry (2022)
Increased glutamatergic metabolite levels and reduced GABA levels indicate that the disruption of excitatory/inhibitory balance may be related to the pathophysiology of schizophrenia-spectrum disorders.
- In the whole group, Glx levels in the basal ganglia (g = 0.32; 95% CIs: 0.18-0.45) were elevated.
- Subgroup analyses showed elevated Glx levels in the hippocampus (g = 0.47; 95% CIs: 0.21-0.73) and dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (g = 0.25; 95% CIs: 0.05-0.44) in unmedicated patients than HC.
- GABA levels in the MCC were decreased in the first-episode psychosis group compared with HC (g = -0.40; 95% CIs: -0.62 to -0.17).
Managing and treating Sydenham chorea: A systematic review
Tariq S et al. • Brain and behavior (2023)
Despite limitations, dopamine antagonists can serve as first-line agents in SC management, followed by antiepileptics.
- Excluding one study with 229 patients, of the remaining 550 patients, 338 (61.5%) were females.
- Despite limitations, dopamine antagonists can serve as first-line agents in SC management, followed by antiepileptics.
- The role of immunomodulators warrants further investigation for conclusive recommendations.
Gamma aminobutyric acid (GABA) receptor agonists for acute stroke
Liu J et al. • The Cochrane database of systematic reviews (2018)
This review provides moderate-quality evidence that fails to support the use of GABA receptor agonists (chlormethiazole or diazepam) for the treatment of people with acute stroke.
- The most frequent adverse events related to chlormethiazole were somnolence (RR 4.56, 95% CI 3.50 to 5.95; two trials; 2527 participants; moderate-quality evidence) and rhinitis (RR 4.75, 95% CI 2.67 to 8.46; two trials; 2527 participants; moderate-quality evidence).
- This review provides moderate-quality evidence that fails to support the use of GABA receptor agonists (chlormethiazole or diazepam) for the treatment of people with acute stroke.
- More well-designed RCTs with large samples of participants with total anterior circulation syndrome are required to determine if there are benefits for this subgroup.
Drug-Induced Myoclonus: A Systematic Review
Rissardo JP et al. • Medicina (Kaunas, Lithuania) (2025)
Based on the main clinical constellation of symptoms and pathophysiological mechanisms found in this study, DIM can be categorized into three types: type 1 (serotonin syndrome), type 2 (non-serotonin syndrome), and type 3 (unknown).
- Drug-induced asterixis is associated with a specific list of medications.
- The neurotransmitters likely involved in DIM are serotonin, dopamine, gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), and glutamate.
- Conclusions: DIM may be reversible with management that can include drug discontinuation, dose adjustment, and the prescription of a medication used to treat idiopathic myoclonus.
Biomarkers in the cerebrospinal fluid of patients with psychotic disorders compared to healthy controls: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Rømer TB et al. • Molecular psychiatry (2023)
The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Nature Limited.
- Neurotensin (SMD, -0.67; 95% CI: -0.89 to -0.46) and γ-aminobutyric acid (SMD, -0.29; 95% CI: -0.50 to -0.09) were decreased.
- Most biomarkers showed no significant differences, including the dopamine metabolites homovanillic acid and 3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetic acid.
- These findings suggest that dysregulation of the immune and adrenergic system as well as blood-brain barrier dysfunction are implicated in the pathophysiology of psychotic disorders.© 2023.
Neurometabolite differences in Autism as assessed with Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Thomson AR et al. • Neuroscience and biobehavioral reviews (2024)
All rights reserved.
- Data were extracted and grouped by metabolite, brain region and several other factors before calculation of standardised effect sizes.
- Further analysis found these alterations are most pronounced in autistic children and in limbic brain regions relevant to autism phenotypes.
- Additionally, we show how study outcome varies due to demographic and methodological factors , emphasising the importance of conforming with standardised consensus study designs and transparent reporting.Copyright © 2024 The Authors.
Gamma aminobutyric acid (GABA) modulators for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis/motor neuron disease
Diana A et al. • The Cochrane database of systematic reviews (2017)
According to high-quality evidence, gabapentin is not effective in treating ALS.
- We found little or no difference in estimated one-year survival between the treated group and the placebo group (78% versus 77%, P = 0.63 by log-rank test; high-quality evidence).
- According to high-quality evidence, gabapentin is not effective in treating ALS.
- It does not extend survival, slow the rate of decline of muscle strength, respiratory function and, based on moderate-quality evidence, probably does not improve quality of life or slow monthly decline in the ALSFRS.
A systematic review of the association between zinc and anxiety
Azargoonjahromi A • Nutrition reviews (2024)
The results provide plausible evidence for the positive role of zinc in the treatment of patients afflicted with anxiety, albeit with some limitations.
- The results provide plausible evidence for the positive role of zinc in the treatment of patients afflicted with anxiety, albeit with some limitations.
- Published in Nutrition reviews (2024)
- Further research warranted to confirm findings
The GABAergic system in Alzheimer's disease: a systematic review with meta-analysis
Carello-Collar G et al. • Molecular psychiatry (2023)
The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Nature Limited.
- In addition, GAD65/67 (-0.67 [-1.15, -0.2], adj. p = 0.006), GABAA receptor (-0.51 [-0.7, -0.33], adj. p < 0.001), and GABA transporters (-0.51 [-0.92, -0.09], adj. p = 0.016) were lower in the AD brain.
- Here, we showed a global reduction of GABAergic system components in the brain and lower GABA levels in the CSF of AD patients.
- Our findings suggest the GABAergic system is vulnerable to AD pathology and should be considered a potential target for developing pharmacological strategies and novel AD biomarkers.© 2023.
The efficacy and safety of some new GABAkines for treatment of depression: A systematic review and meta-analysis from randomized controlled trials
Zou J et al. • Psychiatry research (2023)
All rights reserved.
- The percentages of patients with PPD achieving Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAM-D) response and remission were significantly higher after brexanolone or zuranolone administration compared with placebo at different points.
- The percentages of patients with MDD achieving HAM-D response and remission were significantly increased during the zuranolone treatment period compared with placebo.
- In addition, zuranolone caused more adverse events in patients with MDD compared with placebo.
A Systematic Review of GABA Supplementation: Effects on Stress, Sleep, and Mood
Hepsomali P et al. • Nutrients (2020)
Oral GABA supplementation showed benefits for stress reduction and sleep quality across reviewed clinical trials.
- GABA supplementation reduced subjective stress markers within 30-60 minutes
- Sleep quality improvements observed at doses of 100-300mg
- Mechanism of action likely involves gut-brain axis signaling rather than direct BBB crossing
Herbal Remedies and Their Possible Effect on the GABAergic System and Sleep
Bruni O et al. • Nutrients (2021)
Currently available evidence suggests that herbal extracts may exert some of their hypnotic and anxiolytic activity through interacting with GABA receptors and modulating GABAergic signaling in the brain, but their mechanism of action in the treatment of insomnia is not completely understood.
- Gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) is an inhibitory neurotransmitter that plays a major role in controlling different vigilance states.
- GABA receptors are the targets of many pharmacological treatments for insomnia, such as benzodiazepines.
- Here, we perform a systematic analysis of studies assessing the mechanisms of action of various herbal medicines on different subtypes of GABA receptors in the context of sleep control.
Gamma-aminobutyric acid agonists for antipsychotic-induced tardive dyskinesia
Alabed S et al. • The Cochrane database of systematic reviews (2018)
We are uncertain about the evidence of the effects of baclofen, progabide, sodium valproate or tetrahydroisoxazolopyridinol (THIP) for people with antipsychotic-induced TD.
- Evidence on mental state also showed no effect between treatment groups (6 RCTS, n = 121, RR 2.65, CI 0.71 to 9.86; very low-quality evidence) as did data for leaving the study early (around 10% in both groups, 6 RCTS, n = 218, RR 1.47, CI 0.69 to 3.15; very low-quality evidence).
- We are uncertain about the evidence of the effects of baclofen, progabide, sodium valproate or tetrahydroisoxazolopyridinol (THIP) for people with antipsychotic-induced TD.
- Evidence is inconclusive and unconvincing.
Lesser Known Uses of γ-Aminobutyric Acid Analogue Medications in Otolaryngology
Miller N et al. • The Laryngoscope (2022)
The most promising potential uses for GABA analogues identified in this review are for improving swallowing, trismus, and narcotic overuse after RT.
- The most promising potential uses for GABA analogues identified in this review are for improving swallowing, trismus, and narcotic overuse after RT.
- The benefit of GABA analogues for improving nonorganic voice disorders is also promising while the benefit for globus pharyngeus when possibly related to laryngeal sensory neuropathy is inconclusive.
- Laryngoscope, 132:954-964, 2022.
Anti-gamma-aminobutyric acid receptor type A encephalitis: a review
Guo CY et al. • Current opinion in neurology (2020)
High clinical suspicion and early diagnosis are important given the potential for clinical improvement with immunotherapy.
- Systematic review examining GABA efficacy
- Published in Current opinion in neurology (2020)
- Further research warranted to confirm findings
A systematic review of Gamma-aminobutyric Acid Receptor Type B autoimmunity
McKay JH et al. • Neurologia i neurochirurgia polska (2019)
GABAB-R autoimmune disease is characterized by refractory seizures or status epilepticus and frequent association with small cell lung cancer.
- GABAB-R autoimmune disease is characterized by refractory seizures or status epilepticus and frequent association with small cell lung cancer.
- Additionally, a substantial minority of patients have non-inflammatory CSF.
- Further research warranted to confirm findings
Stroke management
Warburton E et al. • BMJ clinical evidence (2011)
We performed a GRADE evaluation of the quality of evidence for interventions.
- Systematic review examining Citicoline efficacy
- Published in BMJ clinical evidence (2011)
- Further research warranted to confirm findings
Meta-analysis of central and peripheral γ-aminobutyric acid levels in patients with unipolar and bipolar depression
Romeo B et al. • Journal of psychiatry & neuroscience : JPN (2018)
The GABA levels evolved differentially in patients with unipolar and bipolar disorders.
- The GABA levels evolved differentially in patients with unipolar and bipolar disorders.
- Our results suggest that GABA levels could represent a biomarker of symptomatic states in patients with unipolar disorder and would be normalized by mood stabilizers in those with bipolar disorder.
- Further research warranted to confirm findings
Medication induced sleepwalking: A systematic review
Stallman HM et al. • Sleep medicine reviews (2018)
All rights reserved.
- All other associations were based on case reports.
- This research highlights the importance of considering sleepwalking in risk profiles in clinical trials, particularly for drugs that enhance GABA activity at the GABAA receptor, enhance serotonergic activity, or block the activity of noradrenaline at β receptors.
- All rights reserved.
Migraine and magnetic resonance spectroscopy: a systematic review
Younis S et al. • Current opinion in neurology (2017)
Nevertheless, to identify a biomarker in migraine, MRS may be a valuable noninvasive technique.
- Meta-analysis examining GABA efficacy
- Published in Current opinion in neurology (2017)
- Further research warranted to confirm findings