title: gamma-Aminobutyric acid-ergic analgesia: implications for gamma-aminobutyric acid-ergic therapy for drug addictions.
abstract: Recent in vivo and in vitro studies regarding the involvement of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA)-ergic systems in analgesia and in opiate dependence have been reviewed and analyzed. It seems evident that GABA-ergic systems play a role in mediating the effects of opiates and that some interplay might exist between endogenous opioid systems and GABA-ergic systems. Systemic administration of GABA-agonists, GABA uptake blockers and inhibitors of GABA-alpha-oxoglutarate transaminase (GABA-T) can produce potent analgesic actions in experimental animals and in man. Further study of such agents might lead to the development of new analgesics and/or new drugs for treating certain types of drug addiction.
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001418:Baclofen / Q000494:pharmacology; D001921:Brain / Q000187:drug effects; D004361:Drug Tolerance; D004723:Endorphins / Q000502:physiology; D018756:GABA Antagonists; D006801:Humans; D051379:Mice; D009020:Morphine / Q000494:pharmacology; D009021:Morphine Dependence / Q000503:physiopathology; D009118:Muscimol / Q000494:pharmacology; D009619:Nociceptors / Q000187:drug effects / Q000503:physiopathology*; D051381:Rats; D011963:Receptors, GABA-A / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D012684:Sensory Thresholds; D013375:Substance Withdrawal Syndrome / Q000503:physiopathology; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D005680:gamma-Aminobutyric Acid / Q000502:physiology*
chemical_list: D004723:Endorphins; D018756:GABA Antagonists; D011963:Receptors, GABA-A; D009118:Muscimol; D005680:gamma-Aminobutyric Acid; D009020:Morphine; D001418:Baclofen