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How Do GABA and Glutamate Balance Excitation and Inhibition in the Brain?

GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid) and glutamate are two important chemicals in our brains.

GABA acts like a brake. It slows things down and helps keep us calm. It is responsible for about 40% of the signals that travel between brain cells.

On the other hand, glutamate acts like an accelerator. It makes things speed up and helps with learning and memory. Glutamate is behind about 70% of the signals that make our brain cells fire up.

How They Work Together

  • GABA: It helps to lower brain activity by opening channels that let chloride ions (Cl⁻) in. This makes the cells less active, which helps reduce anxiety and stops us from getting too excited.
  • Glutamate: It increases brain activity by allowing sodium (Na⁺) and calcium (Ca²⁺) ions to enter. This is important for learning new things and changing how our brain works.

Key Facts

  • Too much glutamate can be harmful to our brain. This can happen in conditions like epilepsy, where about 40% of people have low levels of GABA.
  • It's important for GABA and glutamate to be in balance. A good ratio of these two is about 1:1. This balance is essential for our brain to work properly.

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How Do GABA and Glutamate Balance Excitation and Inhibition in the Brain?

GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid) and glutamate are two important chemicals in our brains.

GABA acts like a brake. It slows things down and helps keep us calm. It is responsible for about 40% of the signals that travel between brain cells.

On the other hand, glutamate acts like an accelerator. It makes things speed up and helps with learning and memory. Glutamate is behind about 70% of the signals that make our brain cells fire up.

How They Work Together

  • GABA: It helps to lower brain activity by opening channels that let chloride ions (Cl⁻) in. This makes the cells less active, which helps reduce anxiety and stops us from getting too excited.
  • Glutamate: It increases brain activity by allowing sodium (Na⁺) and calcium (Ca²⁺) ions to enter. This is important for learning new things and changing how our brain works.

Key Facts

  • Too much glutamate can be harmful to our brain. This can happen in conditions like epilepsy, where about 40% of people have low levels of GABA.
  • It's important for GABA and glutamate to be in balance. A good ratio of these two is about 1:1. This balance is essential for our brain to work properly.

Related articles