Behavioral functions of GABA_A receptor subtypes - The zurich experience

GABA_A receptors are the major inhibitory neurotransmitter receptors in the brain. They are heteropentamers that are typically classified according to their α subunits. By rendering each of the benzodiazepine-sensitive α subunits (α1, α2, α3, and α5) insensitive to modulation by classical benzodiazepines by His to Arg point mutations in knock-in mice, we were able to identify behavioral functions mediated by different GABA_A receptor subtypes, which led to the development of novel therapeutic strategies. In this chapter, we provide a largely chronological overview on behavioral studies on GABA_A receptor mutant mice at the Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology at the University of Zurich.