Fundamental Neurochemistry Review: GABA receptor neurotransmission and epilepsy: Principles, disease mechanisms and pharmacotherapy.

Epilepsy is a common neurological disorder associated with alterations of excitation-inhibition balance within brain neuronal networks. GABA receptor neurotransmission is the most prevalent form of inhibitory neurotransmission and is strongly implicated in both the pathophysiology and treatment of epilepsy, serving as a primary target for antiseizure medications for over a century. It is now established that GABA exerts a multifaceted influence through an array of GABA receptor subtypes that extends far beyond simply negating excitatory activity. As the role of GABA neurotransmission within inhibitory circuits is elaborated, this will enable the development of precision therapies that correct the network dysfunction underlying epileptic pathology.