gamma-aminobutyric acid gam·ma-a·mi·no·bu·tyr·ic acid (gām'ə-ə-mē'nō-by&oomacr;-tēr'ĭk, -ām'ə-nō-)
n.
Abbr. GABA
An amino acid that occurs in the central nervous system and that is associated with transmission of inhibitory nerve impulses.
gamma-aminobutyric acid (gām'ə-ə-mē'nō-by -tîr'ĭk, -ām'ə-) Pronunciation Key
An amino acid occurring in the brain as a neurotransmitter that acts to inhibit the transmission of nerve impulses. Certain antianxiety drugs, called benzodiazepines, mimic the actions of gamma-aminobutyric acid. Chemical formula: C4H9NO2. |