Muscimol as an ionotropic GABA receptor agonist.
Neurochemical research October 1, 2014 DOI: 10.1007/s11064-014-1245-y via PubMed
Summary
AI-generated from the abstractMuscimol, a psychoactive compound from Amanita muscaria mushrooms, acts as a highly selective activator of GABA-A receptors, which are key inhibitory receptors in the brain. This historic overview describes how Danish and Australian neurochemists discovered and developed muscimol and related compounds as GABA agonists. Muscimol is widely used as a research tool to study GABA receptors and served as the starting point for creating several GABAergic drugs, including nipecotic acid, tiagabine, Gaboxadol, and 4-PIOL.
Study at a glance
| Characteristics | Historical analysis Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Key finding | Muscimol is a remarkably selective agonist at ionotropic GABA receptors and was the lead compound for developing several GABAergic agents. |
Abstract
Muscimol, a psychoactive isoxazole from Amanita muscaria and related mushrooms, has proved to be a remarkably selective agonist at ionotropic receptors for the inhibitory neurotransmitter GABA. This historic overview highlights the discovery and development of muscimol and related compounds as a GABA agonist by Danish and Australian neurochemists. Muscimol is widely used as a ligand to probe GABA receptors and was the lead compound in the development of a range of GABAergic agents including nipecotic acid, tiagabine, 4,5,6,7-tetrahydroisoxazolo(5,4-c)pyridin-3-ol, (Gaboxadol(®)) and 4-PIOL.