Summary
ABSTRACT The γ-aminobutyric acid type A (GABAA) receptor is an ionotropic inhibitory ion channel. Inhibition mediated by GABAA receptors sets the level of activity in the brain, whereas in individual cells it determines the propensity of a cell to fire an action potential in response to excitatory input. The GABAA receptor is a major target for intravenous anesthetics and numerous endogenous compounds including neuroactive steroids. This project will investigate how combinations of endogenous and clinical compounds affect the functioning of the native GABAA receptor, and initiate the onset and