Anxiety and mood (대한불안의학회지)

Korean Academy of Anxiety Disorders (대한불안의학회)
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[ $GABA_A$ ]-Benzodiazepine Receptor and Anxiety Disorder

$GABA_A$-Benzodiazepine 수용체 이상과 불안장애

  • Lee Sang-Yeol (Department of Psychiatry and Institute of Medical Science, Wonkwang University School of Medicine) ;
  • Park Min-Cheol (Department of Psychiatry and Institute of Medical Science, Wonkwang University School of Medicine) ;
  • Kang He-Ja (Department of Health, Wonkwang University Graduate School)
  • 이상열 (원광대학교 의과대학 신경정신과학교실 및 의과학 연구소) ;
  • 박민철 (원광대학교 의과대학 신경정신과학교실 및 의과학 연구소) ;
  • 강희자 (원광대학교 대학원 보건학과)
  • Published : 2005.12.01
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Abstract

In the 40 years since the first benzodiazepine was brought into clinical use there has been a substantial growth in understanding the molecular basis of action of these drugs and the role of their receptors in anxiety disorders. Benzodiazepine receptors are present throughout the brain with the highest concentration in cortex, and it potentiate and prolong the synaptic action of the inhibitory neurotransmitter GABA. Central benzodiazepine receptors and $GABA_A$ receptors are part of the same macromolecular complex. Abnormalities of these $GABA_A$-benzodiazepine receptors as a result of drug challenge tests and neuroimaging studies may underlie some anxiety disorders. The role of $GABA_A$-benzodiazepine receptors in the action of benzodiazepine and as a factor in anxiety disorder, in both animal and humans including knock-out and knock in technique, may lead to new anxiolytics that have potentially significant therapeutic gains without unwanted side effects.

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