The Interplay Between GABA and Glutamate in Systems Physiology and Pathophysiology

Gamma-Aminobutyric Acid (GABA) and glutamate are the principal neurotransmitters in the central nervous system, playing crucial roles in keeping the balance between excitatory and inhibitory signals. GABA primarily functions as the main inhibitory neurotransmitter, reducing neuronal excitability throughout the nervous system, while glutamate serves as the primary excitatory neurotransmitter, easing the transmission of signals between neurons.

The intricate interplay between GABA and glutamate is fundamental to various neural processes, including neurodevelopment, synaptic plasticity, and neurogenesis. An imbalance in their interactions is associated with several neurological and psychiatric disorders, such as epilepsy, schizophrenia, anxiety, depression, drug dependency and neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's and Parkinson's.

Understanding the mechanisms underlying GABA and glutamate signaling processes, as well as their interactions, is essential for developing targeted therapeutic strategies. Recent advances in pharmacology, neuroimaging, and molecular biology have provided new insights into the modulation of these neurotransmitter systems, offering promising avenues for treatment.

This special issue aims to address several timely and critical issues related to the interplay between GABA and glutamate:

1. Mechanisms of GABAergic and Glutamatergic Signaling: Exploring the molecular and cellular mechanisms that regulate the synthesis, release, and uptake of GABA and glutamate, as well as their receptor dynamics.

2. Role of GABA and Glutamate in Neurodevelopment and Neuroplasticity: Investigating how GABA and glutamate interactions influence brain development, synaptic plasticity, and learning processes.

3. GABA and Glutamate Interactions in Neurological Disorders: Examining the role of GABA and glutamate dysregulation in the pathophysiology of various disorders, and the potential for novel therapeutic interventions.

4. Pharmacological Modulation of GABA and Glutamate Receptors: Highlighting recent developments in drugs targeting GABAergic and glutamatergic systems, and their clinical implications.

5. Advances in Therapeutic Approaches Targeting GABA and Glutamate Systems: Reviewing innovative therapeutic strategies aimed at restoring the balance between GABA and glutamate signaling in various diseases.

6. Experimental Models and Techniques for Studying GABA and Glutamate Interactions: Showcasing innovative experimental approaches and technologies for investigating the interactions between GABA and glutamate.

7. Role of GABA and Glutamate signaling in the development of drug dependency: Highlighting the role of GABA and glutamate signaling in the development of psychological and physical dependencies to drugs such as opioids, cocaine and alcohol and the withdrawal syndromes that accompany cessation of these drugs.

We invite researchers and scholars to contribute original research articles, reviews, and commentaries that enhance our understanding of the complex relationship between GABA and glutamate. This special issue will serve as a comprehensive resource for current knowledge and future directions in this critical area of neuroscience.

Submission Guidelines

Researchers and scholars are invited to submit original research articles, reviews, and commentaries that contribute to our understanding of the interplay between GABA and glutamate. All submissions will undergo rigorous peer review.

Article types and fees

This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:

• Brief Research Report
• Case Report
• Clinical Trial
• Community Case Study
• Data Report
• Editorial
• FAIR² Data
• FAIR² DATA Direct Submission
• General Commentary
• ... View all formats

Articles that are accepted for publication by our external editors following rigorous peer review incur a publishing fee charged to Authors, institutions, or funders.

Article types

This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:

• Brief Research Report
• Case Report
• Clinical Trial
• Community Case Study
• Data Report
• Editorial
• FAIR² Data
• FAIR² DATA Direct Submission
• General Commentary
• Hypothesis and Theory
• Methods
• Mini Review
• Opinion
• Original Research
• Perspective
• Review
• Study Protocol
• Systematic Review
• Technology and Code

Keywords: GABAergic Signaling, Glutamatergic Signaling, Neurodevelopment, Neuroplasticity, Therapeutic Approaches, drug dependency

Important note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.