Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 14, 2026

Dissecting Cell-Autonomous Function of Fragile X Mental Retardation Protein in an Auditory Circuit by In Ovo Electroporation
Published on: July 6, 2022
The GABAA receptor: a novel target for treatment of fragile X?
Charlotte D'Hulst1, R Frank Kooy
1Department of Medical Genetics, University of Antwerp, Universiteitsplein 1, 2610 Antwerp, Belgium. Frank.Kooy@ua.ac.be
Abstract:
GABA(A) receptors are the major inhibitory neurotransmitter receptors in the mammalian brain, implicated in anxiety, depression, epilepsy, insomnia, and learning and memory. Here, we present several lines of evidence for involvement of the GABAergic system, and in particular the GABA(A) receptor-mediated function, in fragile X syndrome, the most common form of inherited mental retardation. We argue that an altered expression of the GABA(A) receptor has neurophysiologic and functional consequences that might relate to the behavioural and neurological phenotype associated with fragile X syndrome. Interestingly, some neuropsychiatric disorders, such as anxiety, epilepsy and sleep disorders, are effectively treated with therapeutic agents that act on the GABA(A) receptor. Therefore, the GABA(A) receptor might be a novel therapeutic target for fragile X syndrome.
More Related Videos
08:22A Robust Polymerase Chain Reaction-based Assay for Quantifying Cytosine-guanine-guanine Trinucleotide Repeats in Fragile X Mental Retardation-1 Gene
Published on: September 16, 2019
07:16Methods for the Discovery of Novel Compounds Modulating a Gamma-Aminobutyric Acid Receptor Type A Neurotransmission
Published on: August 16, 2018
Related Concept Videos
Ligand-Gated Ion Channel Receptor: Gating Mechanism
Transducer Mechanism: G Protein–Coupled Receptors
GPCRs are also called heptahelical, 7TM, or...
Antiepileptic Drugs: Potassium Channel Activators
Ezogabine has gained approval as an adjunctive treatment...
G Protein-coupled Receptors
GPCRs are also called heptahelical, 7TM, or serpentine receptors, and consist of seven (H1-H7) transmembrane alpha-helices that span the bilayer to form a cylindrical core. The transmembrane helices are connected by three extracellular loops and three...
Antiepileptic Drugs: GABAergic Pathway Potentiators
The key GABA pathway potentiators used in epilepsy management are as follows.
Benzodiazepines are a well-known class of drugs used for their...