Sleep Board Review Test 1

8. Binding of a benzodiazepine to the GABA receptor leads to an increase in _____ flux into the cell, which leads to _______ of the cell.

a. potassium, hyperpolarization

b. chloride, hypopolarization

c. sodium, hypopolarization

d. chloride, hyperpolarization

e. potassium, hypopolarization

Answer: d chloride, hyperpolarization

Binding of a benzodiazepine or benzodiazepine receptor agonist to the GABA receptor leads to an increase in chloride flux into the cell. Increasing the chloride concentration in the cell leads to hyperpolarization of the cell, which leads to the cell inhibition of an action potential.

Reference:

Kryger et al, Principles and Practice of Sleep Medicine, 4^th edition, 2005; page 445.

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