GABA and astrocytic cholesterol determine the lipid environment of GABAAR in cultured cortical neurons.

According to a preprint abstract from biorxiv.org, researchers have found that the lipid environment plays a crucial role in the function of the gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) type A receptor (GABAAR), which is responsible for inhibitory neurotransmission in the brain. The study used super resolution imaging to show that GABA induces the translocation of GABAAR to specific lipid clusters in mouse cortical neurons. The researchers also found that the association of GABAAR with lipid rafts is enhanced by astrocytic secretions, which can affect endocytosis and desensitization. These findings have implications for the treatment of mood disorders associated with neural excitability. However, it's important to note that this preprint has not yet undergone peer review. [Extracted from the article]