Emerging neurotrophic role of GABA(B) receptors in neuronal circuit development

The proper development of highly organized structures in the central nervous system is a complex process during which key events – neurogenesis, migration, growth, differentiation, and synaptogenesis – have to take place in an appropriate manner to create functional neuronal networks. It is now well established that GABA, the main inhibitory neurotransmitter in the adult mammalian brain, plays more than a classical inhibitory role and can function as an important developmental signal early in life. GABA binds to chloride-permeable ionotropic GABA(A) receptors and to G-protein-coupled GABA(B) receptors (GABA(B)-Rs). Although most of the trophic actions of GABA have been attributed to the activation of GABA(A) receptors, recent advances show that GABA(B)-Rs also regulate fundamental steps of network development. This review summarizes some of the recent progress about the neurotrophic role of GABA(B)-Rs to neuronal development.