title: GABA agonists and gabapentin for spastic hypertonia.
abstract: Spasticity is a result of an imbalance between the afferent excitatory and descending inhibitory pathways after central nervous system damage. Its pharmacologic control is believed to result from the antagonism of inhibitory mechanisms (gamma-aminobutyric acid [GABA] or glycine-mediated antagonism of excitatory mechanisms), or both. Because GABA receptor sites are widely present in the central nervous system, it is amenable to pharmacologic manipulation.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Baylor College of Medicine, University of Texas Sciences Center, Brain Injury Program, Institute for Rehabilitation and Research, Houston, Texas, USA.
authors.forename: G E
authors.initials: GE
authors.lastname: Francisco
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kothari
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Huls
mesh_terms: D000085:Acetates / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000588:Amines; D000818:Animals; D000927:Anticonvulsants / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001418:Baclofen / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001569:Benzodiazepines / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003509:Cyclohexanecarboxylic Acids; D003975:Diazepam / Q000627:therapeutic use; D018755:GABA Agonists / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000077206:Gabapentin; D006801:Humans; D009128:Muscle Spasticity / Q000188:drug therapy*; D005680:gamma-Aminobutyric Acid
chemical_list: D000085:Acetates; D000588:Amines; D000927:Anticonvulsants; D003509:Cyclohexanecarboxylic Acids; D018755:GABA Agonists; D001569:Benzodiazepines; D005680:gamma-Aminobutyric Acid; D000077206:Gabapentin; D001418:Baclofen; D003975:Diazepam