Question

Benzodiazepines are drugs that increase the activity of GABAA receptors.

a. What does GABA do to nervous system activity?

b. Sometimes benzodiazepines, such as Ambien, are prescribed as sleep aids although they are thought to prevent the transition from stage 2 to stage 3 sleep. How would this impact an EEG recording?

Answer 1

a.

GABA- Gamma amino butyric acid is a neurotransmitter that sends chemical message through the brain and the nervous system.

- GABA is a inhibitory neurotransmitter , which has role to inhibit or reduce the activity of the neurons or nerve cells.

GABA receptor on the nerve cells recieve the chemical messages that help to inhibit or reduce nerve impulses.

b. Stage 2 is called unequivocal sleep which comprises 40- 50 % of sleep time.

If benzodiazepine prevent transition from stage 2 to stage 3 , the patient will be in stage 2.

ECG shows features of Stage 2 , i.e there will be theta waves interspersed with spindles. K complexes can be evoked on sensory stimulation.

- Having little eye movements and the patient is easily arousable.

Hope this helps , thanks.