ATAR Notes: Forum

VCE Stuff => VCE Science => VCE Mathematics/Science/Technology => VCE Subjects + Help => VCE Psychology => Topic started by: nathhan. on October 09, 2011, 12:21:57 am

Title: GABA? Do not fully understand function
Post by: nathhan. on October 09, 2011, 12:21:57 am

Hey does anybody know a detailed description of the function of gaba, the neurotransmitter?

Title: Re: GABA? Do not fully understand function
Post by: playsimme on October 09, 2011, 12:29:07 am

GABA is an inhibitory neurotransmitter - meaning that it's a neurotransmitter that promotes relaxation and prevents over arousal of the neurons in the brain by counterbalancing the excitaratory neurotransmitters (preventing them from firing). So it's proposed that one with LOW levels of GABA causes over arousal in the brain - as there's nothing to properly counterbalance the excitaratory neurotransmitters. So that in mind, it's proposed that this over arousal due to low GABA with nothing to balance it causes one to become heightened in anxiety - leading to the formation of a phobia.
Hope that was clear

Title: Re: GABA? Do not fully understand function
Post by: Sevaree on October 09, 2011, 01:33:24 pm

It inhibits post-synaptic neuron from firing, and thus decreasing arousal levels. And everything else is explained by ^ =)

Title: Re: GABA? Do not fully understand function
Post by: REBORN on October 09, 2011, 01:37:20 pm

Please note that these are all contributing factors

There's no cause effect relationship such as LOW GABA = PHOBIA.