title: The physiological properties and therapeutic potential of alpha5-GABAA receptors.
abstract: The notion that drug treatments can improve memory performance has moved from the realm of science fiction to that of serious investigation. A popular working hypothesis is that cognition can be improved by altering the balance between excitatory and inhibitory neurotransmission. This review focuses on the unique physiological and pharmacological properties of GABA(A)Rs [GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid) subtype A receptors] that contain the alpha(5) subunit (alpha(5)-GABA(A)R), as these receptors serve as candidate targets for memory-enhancing drugs.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Medical Science, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
authors.forename: Loren J
authors.initials: LJ
authors.lastname: Martin
authors.forename: Robert P
authors.initials: RP
authors.lastname: Bonin
authors.forename: Beverley A
authors.initials: BA
authors.lastname: Orser
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001921:Brain / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000378:metabolism; D007858:Learning / Q000502:physiology; D008568:Memory / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D018697:Nootropic Agents / Q000378:metabolism / Q000494:pharmacology; D021122:Protein Subunits / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D011963:Receptors, GABA-A / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D018697:Nootropic Agents; D021122:Protein Subunits; D011963:Receptors, GABA-A