GABA_A受体（又称作γ-氨基丁酸A型受体）是一种离子型受体，而且是一类配体门控型离子信道。此信道的内源性配体是一种被称为GABA的神经递质。GABA是中枢神经系统里的一种主要的递质，虽然GABA在神经递质的释放过程中产生的是抑制性效应，但GABA本身并非一种抑制性而是一种刺激性递质，因为GABA激活GABA受体的开放。在GABA_A受体被激活后，可以选择性的让Cl通过，引起神经元的超极化。这种超极化引起了神经信号传递抑制，因为降低了动作电位产生的成功率GABA_A，在正常条件下产生的抑制性突触后电位的翻转电位是-75 mV，高于GABA_B受体的-100 mV。

The GABA_A receptor (GABA_AR) is an ionotropic receptor and ligand-gated ion channel. Its endogenous ligand is γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA), the major inhibitory neurotransmitter in the central nervous system. Upon activation, the GABA_A receptor selectively conducts Cl through its pore, resulting in hyperpolarization of the neuron. This causes an inhibitory effect on neurotransmission by diminishing the chance of a successful action potential occurring. The reversal potential of the GABA_A-mediated IPSP in normal solution is −70 mV, contrasting the GABA_B IPSP.