What is it about?

A key component in the mammalian brain, is a receptor known as the GABA-A receptor. This receptor play an important role in the normal development and sending of signals/information throughout the brain. Using a research model, we identified changes to components of this receptor, that may have long-lasting implications in normal brain development and the effectiveness of certain drug therapies.

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Why is it important?

Anticonvulsant medicines are not also effective in treating seizures in newborn babies. These drugs target a receptor in the brain known as the GABA-A receptor. Identifying changes to the GABA-A receptor after an injurious event can inform targeted therapies, knowing that alterations to a receptor may cause a change in function.

Perspectives

In performing this work and writing this articles my co-workers and I drew on a wealth of knowledge and expertise to gain some insights into why newborns with seizures don't also respond will to the treatment medications. This is still an ongoing healthcare problem both in developing and developed countries.

Ms Stephanie Melita Miller
University of Queensland

Read the Original

This page is a summary of: Neonatal seizures are associated with redistribution and loss of GABAAα-subunits in the hypoxic-ischaemic pig, Journal of Neurochemistry, September 2016, Wiley,
DOI: 10.1111/jnc.13746.
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