What Is GABA?

Gamma-amino butyric acid, or GABA, is a neurotransmitter that sends chemical messages through
the brain and the nervous system, and is involved in regulating communication between brain cells.
The role of GABA is to inhibit or reduce the activity of the neurons or nerve cells.
GABA plays an important role in behavior, cognition, and the body's response to stress.
Research suggests that GABA helps to control fear and anxiety when neurons become
overexcited.
Lower than normal levels of GABA in the brain have been linked to schizophrenia, depression,
anxiety, and sleep disorders.

GABA Receptors
GABA receptors on nerve cells receive the chemical messages that help to inhibit or reduce nerve
impulses.
Prescription medications called benzodiazepines bind to the same receptors as GABA. They mimic
GABA's natural calming effects.
Diazepam (Valium) and lorazepam (Ativan), are among the most widely prescribed
benzodiazepinesfor insomnia and anxiety disorders. They slow down the body's central nervous
system and cause sleepiness.
Benzodiazepines should be used only as prescribed. Taking too much can lead to shallow
breathing, clammy skin, dilated pupils, weak pulse, coma, and death.
Medications used to treat insomnia, including zolpidem (Ambien) and eszopiclone (Lunesta), work
by improving the ability of GABA to bind to GABA receptors in the brain.

What is clonazepam used for?

 Clonazepam is used to treat various different forms of epilepsy, including absence
seizures (petit mal epilepsy), generalised tonic-clonic seizures (grand mal epilepsy),
partial seizures and myoclonic seizures.
How does clonazepam work?
Clonazepam is a type of medicine called a benzodiazepine. This type of medicine acts on
nerve cells in the brain.
The brain and nerves are made up of many nerve cells that communicate with each other
through electrical signals. These signals must be carefully regulated for the brain and nerves
to function properly.
When abnormally rapid and repetitive electrical signals are released in the brain, it
becomes over-stimulated and normal function is disturbed. This results in fits or seizures.
Clonazepam works by acting on receptors in the brain called GABA receptors. This causes
the release of a neurotransmitter called GABA in the brain. GABA is involved in trans mitting
messages between the nerve cells and acts as a natural 'nerve-calming' agent. It helps keep
the nerve activity in the brain in balance.
By increasing the release of GABA, clonazepam helps to calm the excessive electrical nerve
activity that is responsible for causing seizures
Clonazepam is used to help to reduce the frequency and severity of fits in people with
epilepsy.
What is clonazepam, and how does it work (mechanism of action)?
 Clonazepam is an anti-anxiety medication in the benzodiazepine family, the same family
that includes diazepam (Valium), alprazolam (Xanax), lorazepam (Ativan), flurazepam
(Dalmane), and others. Clonazepam and other benzodiazepines act by enhancing the
effects of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) in the brain. GABA is a neurotransmitter (a
chemical that nerve cells use to communicate with each other) that inhibits brain activity. It
is believed that excessive activity in the brain may lead to anxiety or other psychiatric
disorders. Clonazepam is primarily used for treating panic disorder and preventing
certain types of seizures.
 The FDA approved clonazepam in June 1975.