A GABA analogue is a compound which is an analogue or derivative of the neurotransmitter gamma-Aminobutyric acid (GABA) (the IUPAC of which is 4-aminobutanoic acid).
Many GABA analogues are used as , especially as , , and .
List of GABA analogues
Deaminated
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Butyric acid (butanoic acid) – histone deacetylase inhibitor and full agonist of free fatty acid receptor 2, free fatty acid receptor 3, and niacin receptor 1
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Valeric acid (pentanoic acid) – constituent of valerian; has an unpleasant odor and fruity flavor and esters are used as additives
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Isovaleric acid (isopentanoic acid/3-methylbutanoic acid) – constituent of valerian; has anticonvulsant effects; PAM of the GABAA receptor
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Derivatives: isovalerate (isopentanoate/3-methylbutanoate), menthyl isovalerate (validolum) – used as an anxiolytic and sedative in Russia
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Isovaleramide (isopentamide/3-methylbutanamide) – constituent of valerian; has anxiolytic and sedative effects; PAM of the GABAA receptor
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Valproic acid (2-propylpentanoic acid) – anticonvulsant/mood stabilizer; enzyme inhibitor of HDAC, SSADH, and GABA-T, blocker of VDSCs and GABA reuptake, AR/PR antagonist
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Derivatives: sodium valproate, valproate semisodium, divalproex sodium, valproate pivoxil
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Valpromide (2-propylpentanamide) – anticonvulsant; same mechanism of action as valproic acid, plus inhibitor of epoxide hydrolase
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Valnoctamide (2-ethyl-3-methylpentanamide) – anticonvulsant; similar mechanism of action to valproic acid; structural isomer of valpromide
3- or 4-Hydroxylated
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3-Hydroxybutanal – synthetic hypnotic and sedative drug
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GHB (γ-hydroxybutyric acid) – neurotransmitter, drug of abuse; agonist of GHB receptor and GABAB receptor
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Aceburic acid (γ-hydroxybutyric acid acetate) – synthetic prodrug to GHB
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GBL (γ-hydroxybutyric acid lactone) – metabolic intermediate and prodrug to GHB
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GHBAL (γ-hydroxybutyraldehyde or γ-hydroxybutanal) – metabolic intermediate and prodrug to GHB
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GHV (γ-hydroxyvaleric acid) – designer drug; analogue of GHB with similar effects
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GVL (γ-valerolactone) – designer drug; prodrug to GHV
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T-HCA/GHC (γ-hydroxycrotonic acid) – neurotransmitter; GHB receptor agonist
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GCL (γ-crotonolactone) – prodrug to T-HCA/GHC
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HOCPCA (3-hydroxycyclopent-1-enecarboxylic acid) – synthetic GHB receptor agonist
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UMB68 (γ-hydroxy-γ-methylpentanoic acid) – synthetic GHB receptor agonist
β-Substituted
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GABOB (β-hydroxy-GABA) – anticonvulsant; GABA receptor agonist
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Pregabalin (β-isobutyl-GABA) – analgesic, anticonvulsant, and anxiolytic; potent inhibitor of α2δ subunit-containing VGCCs.
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Phenibut (β-phenyl-GABA) – sedative and anxiolytic from Russia; GABAB receptor agonist, and to a lesser extent inhibitor of α2δ subunit-containing VGCCs.
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Baclofen (β-(4-chlorophenyl)-GABA) – antispasmodic drug; potent GABAB receptor agonist, weak inhibitor of α2δ subunit-containing VGCCs
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Tolibut (β-(4-methylphenyl)-GABA) – analgesic, tranquilizer, and neuroprotective drug
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Phaclofen (phosphonobaclofen) – GABAB receptor antagonist
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Saclofen (sulfonobaclofen) – GABAB receptor antagonist
Cyclized
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Arecaidine – constituent of areca nuts; GABA reuptake inhibitor
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Gabaculine – neurotoxin; GABA-T inhibitor and GABA reuptake inhibitor
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Gabapentin – anticonvulsant; inhibitor of α2δ subunit-containing VGCCs
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Gabapentin enacarbil – used for the treatment of restless legs syndrome and postherpetic neuralgia; same mechanism of action as gabapentin
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Gaboxadol – GABAA receptor agonist
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Guvacine – constituent of areca nuts; GABA reuptake inhibitor
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Isoguvacine – GABAA receptor agonist
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Isonipecotic acid – GABAA receptor partial agonist
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Muscimol – constituent of Amanita muscaria mushrooms; GABAA receptor agonist
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Nipecotic acid – used in scientific research; GABA reuptake inhibitor
GABA prodrugs
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Glutamine – endogenous precursor of GABA and glutamate
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N-Isonicotinoyl-GABA – structural isomer of picamilon
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Picamilon (N-nicotinoyl-GABA) – dietary supplement and prescription drug in Russia
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Progabide (complex structure) – anticonvulsant
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Tolgabide (complex structure) – anticonvulsant
Others/miscellaneous
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1,4-Butanediol – metabolic intermediate and prodrug to GHB
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3-Methyl-GABA – GABA-T activator
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AABA/homoalanine (α-aminobutyric acid) – used by nonribosomal peptide
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BABA (β-aminobutyric acid) – known for its ability to induce plant disease resistance
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DAVA (δ-aminopentanoic acid) – GABA receptor agonist
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Gabamide (γ-aminobutanamide) – GABA receptor agonist
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Gabazine (SR-95531) – antagonist of the GABAA and GHB receptors
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GAVA (γ-aminopentanoic acid) – GABA reuptake inhibitor
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Glufimet (dimethyl 3-phenylglutamate hydrochloride) – experimental drug related to phenibut
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Glutamic acid (glutamate) – neurotransmitter
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Homotaurine (tramiprosate) – GABAA receptor agonist, GABAB receptor antagonist
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Hopantenic acid (N-pantoyl-GABA) – depressant used in Russia
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Isovaline – peripherally selective agonist of the GABAB receptor
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Lesogaberan (AZD-3355) – agonist of the GABAB receptor
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N-Anisoyl-GABA – major active metabolite of the nootropic aniracetam
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NCS-382 – antagonist of the GHB receptor
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Piracetam and other
– nootropics
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Pivagabine (N-pivaloyl-GABA) – antidepressant/anxiolytic drug; CRF inhibitor
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Vigabatrin (y-vinyl-GABA) – anticonvulsant; GABA-T inhibitor
See also