What effect does rohypnol have on the brain's neurotransmitters?
1 Answer
Rohypnol binds to the receptor sites for the neurotransmitter, γ-aminobutyric acid.
Explanation:
Rohypnol is a type of benzodiazepine, a class of drugs that depresses the central nervous system.
Benzodiazepines interact with receptors on brain neurons that use the neurotransmitter called GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid).
A GABA receptor also contains sites for binding other molecules such as benzodiazepines.
When GABA binds to receptors, it usually inhibits a neuron and reduces neuronal activity.
That is, it stops or slows the communication between neurons.
When a benzodiazepine such as rohypnol attaches to a specific site on the GABA receptor, the receptor becomes more efficient.
Thus, benzodiazepines enhance the effects of GABA and reduce communication between neurons even further.
This decreased communication between brain neurons causes drowsiness and confusion, and can even lead to coma and death.
