Advances in the Search for Medicinal Drugs Based on γ-Aminobutyric Acid

Problems associated with the search for new psychotropic agents based on γ-aminobutyric acid — a mediator of central inhibition — are examined, the principles of the rational synthesis of new medicinal drugs in the series of γ-aminobutyric acid derivatives are discussed, and methods for their chemical synthesis are described. Data are presented on the conformation of γ-aminobutyric acid and the structure of its receptor; certain features of the relation between structure and biological activity in the above series of compounds are considered. The bibliography includes 178 references.