Allopregnanolone is what type of modulator at GABA receptors?

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Multiple Choice

Allopregnanolone is what type of modulator at GABA receptors?

Explanation:
Allopregnanolone acts as a positive allosteric modulator of the GABA-A receptor. It binds to a neurosteroid site on the receptor, separate from where GABA binds. This binding enhances the receptor’s response to GABA when GABA is present, increasing chloride conductance and strengthening the inhibitory effect. It does not activate the receptor by itself (not an orthosteric agonist) and it does not block GABA binding (not a competitive antagonist). So, it shifts GABA-A receptor activity toward greater inhibition, fitting the role of a positive allosteric modulator.

Allopregnanolone acts as a positive allosteric modulator of the GABA-A receptor. It binds to a neurosteroid site on the receptor, separate from where GABA binds. This binding enhances the receptor’s response to GABA when GABA is present, increasing chloride conductance and strengthening the inhibitory effect. It does not activate the receptor by itself (not an orthosteric agonist) and it does not block GABA binding (not a competitive antagonist). So, it shifts GABA-A receptor activity toward greater inhibition, fitting the role of a positive allosteric modulator.

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