Role of GABAB receptors in learning and memory and neurological disorders. (April 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Heaney, Chelcie F.; Kinney, Jefferson W.
• Is Part Of: Neuroscience and biobehavioral reviews. Volume 63(2016)
• Page Start: 1
• Page End: 28
• Publication Date: 2016-04
• Subjects: GABAB receptor -- Learning and memory -- Cognition -- Neuropsychological disorders; Psychophysiology -- Periodicals; Human behavior -- Periodicals; Animal behavior -- Periodicals; Neurology -- Periodicals; Behavior -- Periodicals; Ethology -- Periodicals; Neurology -- Periodicals; Psychophysiologie -- Périodiques; Comportement humain -- Périodiques; Animaux -- Mœurs et comportement -- Périodiques; Neurologie -- Périodiques; Animal behavior; Human behavior; Neurology; Psychophysiology; Periodicals; Electronic journals; 573.8
• DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2016.01.007
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0149-7634

Abstract

Highlights: GABAB receptors play an important role in neural plasticity. GABAB receptor ligands can affect hippocampally-dependent behaviors. GABAB receptors and GABAergic markers are commonly altered within clinical populations that show altered hippocampally-dependent learning and memory. GABAB receptors could be a target to help alleviate altered learning and memory symptoms associated with certain neuropsychological disorders. Abstract: Although it is evident from the literature that altered GABAB receptor function does affect behavior, these results often do not correspond well. These differences could be due to the task protocol, animal strain, ligand concentration, or timing of administration utilized. Because several clinical populations exhibit learning and memory deficits in addition to altered markers of GABA and the GABAB receptor, it is important to determine whether altered GABAB receptor function is capable of contributing to the deficits. The aim of this review is to examine the effect of altered GABAB receptor function on synaptic plasticity as demonstrated by in vitro data, as well as the effects on performance in learning and memory tasks. Finally, data regarding altered GABA and GABAB receptor markers within clinical populations will be reviewed. Together, the data agree that proper functioning of GABAB receptors is crucial for numerous learning and memory tasks and that targeting this system via pharmaceuticals may benefit several clinical populations.