Classics in Chemical Neuroscience: Muscimol.
Diego Rivera-Illanes, Gonzalo Recabarren-Gajardo
ACS Chemical Neuroscience September 18, 2024 DOI: 10.1021/acschemneuro.4c00304 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Review Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Keywords | Gabaa receptor Muscimol Biosynthesis Fly agaric Isoxazoles |
| Citations | 17 |
| Key findings | Muscimol is a GABAA receptor agonist with historical entheogenic use and ongoing research value in neuroscience, including potential applications for neuropathic pain. |
Abstract
Muscimol (3) is a psychoactive isoxazole present in various Amanita mushrooms, along with ibotenic acid and muscarine. It is structurally related to GABA and acts as a GABAA agonist with great affinity. Muscimol use dates back to Siberian shamanic cultures as an entheogen, where it was ingested orally to exert psychoactive effects. Although not approved for clinical use, its potential and use as a research tool in neuroscience is of immense value, with 3H-muscimol being used as a radioligand in GABA receptor research. Since its discovery in the early 60s, many research groups have worked on the synthesis of the compound. Recent research suggests the potential use of muscimol in neuropathic pain relief and other potential uses are also being studied. In this review, we will cover the history, chemistry, pharmacology and overall importance of the compound.