Posted by linkadge on May 14, 2020, at 9:27:00
In reply to Re: 'safer' not 'better'? » SLS, posted by undopaminergic on May 14, 2020, at 2:31:46
>Usually they are called "subunits".
Pardon my lack of distinction. When I read medical abstracts I'm typically more concerned about the functional relevance and utility of the distinctions rather than specific definitions and classifications. I am desperate for some nugget of information that might make my life slightly more tolerable, but I rarely care about getting the exact terminology.
I have mainly read about this in reference to the differences in actions of various benzodiazepines or non-benzodiazepine sedatives. For example, some benzos have more anticonvulsant while others may be more amnesic, or sedative etc.
There has always been a 'gaba theory' of depression. However, the relative lack of antidepressant effect of benzodiazepines, barbiturates etc. has lead to some abandonment of the theory. However, the discrepancy might be in the non-specificity of these drugs towards gaba receptors. Some subtypes (or locations) might be pro-depressant, while others are antidepressant.
Many hormones act to increase or decrease GABA function. I believe progesterone is a positive modulator of GABA-a whereas DHEA is negative. This could, in part, explain the calming vs. stimulating qualities of the two compounds.
poster:linkadge
thread:1109960
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20200511/msgs/1110116.html