Insights into Dysregulated GABAergic Synapses and Depression: A Complex and Evolving Relationship

The γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) system, as the primary inhibitory network in the mammalian brain, plays a central role in the pathophysiology of numerous neurological and psychiatric conditions. At the core of this system are GABAergic synapses, which are composed of a complex array of organizational, functional, and modulatory proteins. Despite their fundamental importance, the molecular diversity and organization of GABAergic synapses remain only partially understood. This chapter highlights relatively well-characterized molecular components of GABAergic synapses, with particular emphasis on depression pathophysiology.