Question

Vigabatrin is an inhibitor of

• A. GABA synthase
• B. GABA transaminase
• C. Voltage-gated Na channel
• D. Chloride channel

Hint:

Vigabatrin is used primarily for refractory epilepsy and infantile spasms due to its unique mechanism of increasing brain GABA by inhibiting its breakdown.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is B

Vigabatrin is an antiepileptic drug that works by increasing the levels of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), an inhibitory neurotransmitter in the brain. It does so by irreversibly inhibiting the enzyme GABA transaminase, which is responsible for the degradation of GABA. - GABA transaminase (GABA-T) catalyzes the breakdown of GABA into succinic semialdehyde, reducing GABA availability in the central nervous system.
- By inhibiting GABA-T, vigabatrin leads to increased GABA concentrations, enhancing inhibitory neurotransmission and reducing seizure activity.
- It does not inhibit GABA synthase (which is responsible for GABA synthesis), nor does it block voltage-gated sodium channels or chloride channels directly.
Thus, the correct answer is that vigabatrin inhibits GABA transaminase.