GABA

American  

[gab-uh] / ˈgæb ə /

noun

Biochemistry.

1. a neurotransmitter of the central nervous system that inhibits excitatory responses.

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GABA British  

/ ˈɡæbə /

acronym

1. gamma-aminobutyric acid: a biologically active substance found in plants and in brain and other animal tissues; it is a neurotransmitter that inhibits activation of neurones

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GABA Scientific  

1. Abbreviation of gamma-aminobutyric acid

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Etymology

Origin of GABA

g(amma-)a(mino)b(utyric) a(cid)

Example Sentences

Normal human consciousness is tied to inhibitory neurotransmitters in the central nervous system called gamma-aminobutyric acid, or GABA.

From Los Angeles Times • Sep. 9, 2025

They discovered that two types of neurons in the claustrum, which send output signals to different parts of the brain, respond in opposing ways to acetylcholine and GABA.

From Science Daily • Sep. 21, 2023

In Japan, you can already buy tomatoes rich in a chemical called GABA, which has a calming effect, and modified sea bream where more of the flesh is suitable for sushi.

From BBC • Mar. 23, 2023

Others generate a chemical called GABA, deficits of which are linked to depression.

From Washington Post • Jan. 31, 2023

The researchers reasoned that if this gut microbe had to have GABA, some other microbe must be making it.

From Science Magazine • May 7, 2020