OncoSignal
Live from Open Targets Platform, fetched 2026-11-11 17:11 UTC. Every row links to its source record.

GABRA1 gamma-aminobutyric acid type A receptor subunit alpha1

ENSG00000022355 · protein coding · Open Targets profile

Alpha subunit of the heteropentameric ligand-gated chloride channel gated by Gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), a major inhibitory neurotransmitter in the brain (PubMed:23909897, PubMed:25489750, PubMed:29950725, PubMed:30602789). GABA-gated chloride channels, also named GABA(A) receptors (GABAAR), consist of five subunits arranged around a central pore and contain GABA active binding site(s) located at the alpha and beta subunit interface(s) (PubMed:29950725, PubMed:30602789). When activated by GABA, GABAARs selectively allow the flow of chloride anions across the cell membrane down their electrochemical gradient (PubMed:23909897, PubMed:29950725, PubMed:30602789). Alpha-1/GABRA1-containing GABAARs are largely synaptic (By similarity). Chloride influx into the postsynaptic neuron following GABAAR opening decreases the neuron ability to generate a new action potential, thereby reducing nerve transmission (By similarity). GABAARs containing alpha-1 and beta-2 or -3 subunits exhibit synaptogenic activity; the gamma-2 subunit being necessary but not sufficient to induce rapid synaptic contacts formation (PubMed:23909897, PubMed:25489750). GABAARs function also as histamine receptor where histamine binds at the interface of two neighboring beta subunits and potentiates GABA response (By similarity). GABAARs containing alpha, beta and epsilon subunits also permit spontaneous chloride channel activity while preserving the structural information required for GABA-gated openings (By similarity). Alpha-1-mediated plasticity in the orbitofrontal cortex regulates context-dependent action selection (By similarity). Together with rho subunits, may also control neuronal and glial GABAergic transmission in the cerebellum (By similarity). {ECO:0000250|UniProtKB:P08219, ECO:0000250|UniProtKB:P62812, ECO:0000250|UniProtKB:P62813, ECO:0000269|PubMed:23909897, ECO:0000269|PubMed:25489750, ECO:0000269|PubMed:29950725, ECO:0000269|PubMed:30602789}.

57 of the 76 drugs recorded against GABRA1 are approved, and 3 more reached Phase 3

Each band is a group of drugs. It runs from the kind of drug on the left to the furthest stage that drug has reached in any disease on the right. Thicker bands mean more drugs.

57 small molecule drugs at Approved: HALAZEPAM, QUAZEPAM, PRAZEPAM, ETHCHLORVYNOL, GLUTETHIMIDE, ACAMPROSATE CALCIUM, SECOBARBITAL, BUTALBITAL, FLURAZEPAM HYDROCHLORIDE, METHARBITAL, CHLORDIAZEPOXIDE HYDROCHLORIDE, METHOHEXITAL…3 small molecule drugs at Phase 3: PADSEVONIL, CLOMETHIAZOLE, PAGOCLONE4 small molecule drugs at Phase 2: ADIPIPLON, DARIGABAT, ABP-700, RESEQUINIL12 small molecule drugs at Withdrawn: MEPROBAMATE, METHAQUALONE HYDROCHLORIDE, PENTOBARBITAL SODIUM, METHOXYFLURANE, FLUNITRAZEPAM, TETRAZEPAM, TRIAZOLAM, PENTOBARBITAL, METHAQUALONE, ZOPICLONE, ZALEPLON, SECOBARBITAL SODIUMSmall molecule 76Approved 57Phase 3 3Phase 2 4Withdrawn 12

Approved bands are highlighted. Withdrawn means the drug was pulled from the market or from development. A combined phase counts as the later one (Phase 1/2 is shown as Phase 2). Hover a band for the drug names. Source: Open Targets Platform, fetched live.

In 1 of 8 cancers, the evidence for GABRA1 comes mainly from inherited variants

Each row is a cancer, strongest overall evidence first. The two dots show how strong the inherited (germline) and tumour-mutation (somatic) evidence is; the line between them is the gap.

Inherited (germline) variantsMutations in tumours (somatic)
00.250.50.751colorectal cancercolorectal cancernon-small cell lung carcinomanon-small cell lung carcinomaendometrial cancerendometrial canceresophageal canceresophageal cancerbreast cancerbreast cancermalignant colon neoplasmmalignant colon neoplasmcolon carcinomacolon carcinomacervical carcinomacervical carcinomacervical carcinoma: germline 0.13

Scores run from 0 (no evidence) to 1 (strongest). A missing dot at 0 means Open Targets holds no evidence of that kind. Source: Open Targets Platform, fetched live.

Tractability

Small molecule
Approved Drug, Structure with Ligand, High-Quality Ligand, Druggable Family
Antibody
UniProt loc high conf, GO CC high conf, UniProt loc med conf, UniProt SigP or TMHMM, Human Protein Atlas loc
PROTAC
Half-life Data, Small Molecule Binder

gnomAD loss of function constraint: o/e 0.18403999507427216 (upper bound 0.3211599886417389). Low values mean loss of function is poorly tolerated, a safety flag for inhibition.

Who runs trials of these drugs

Principal investigators and study chairs on 17 registry trials, updated in the last three years, of the most advanced drugs against GABRA1 (halazepam, quazepam, prazepam, ethchlorvynol, glutethimide, acamprosate calcium, secobarbital, butalbital, flurazepam, metharbital, chlordiazepoxide, methohexital), ranked by Phase 2+ trials. Live from ClinicalTrials.gov.

14 of 17 trials of drugs against GABRA1 have sites only in United States

Registry trials of halazepam, quazepam, prazepam, ethchlorvynol, glutethimide, acamprosate calcium, secobarbital, butalbital, flurazepam, metharbital, chlordiazepoxide, methohexital updated in the last three years, counted by the country group of their listed sites. A trial with sites in several groups counts in each; 17 of 17 have all sites in one country.

Sites only in this groupSites here and elsewhere
United StatesUnited States: 14 trials with sites only hereUnited States: 0 trials with sites here and elsewhere14EuropeEurope: 2 trials with sites only hereEurope: 0 trials with sites here and elsewhere2OtherOther: 1 trials with sites only hereOther: 0 trials with sites here and elsewhere1

Site counts are not patients per country, and trials registered only outside ClinicalTrials.gov are not covered. Where sites are is a fact about the record, not a judgement of its quality. Europe is the EU and EEA, the UK and Switzerland. Source: ClinicalTrials.gov, fetched live.

10 trials of drugs against GABRA1 were stopped early; 1 give no reason

Terminated, withdrawn and suspended interventional trials of halazepam, quazepam, prazepam, ethchlorvynol, glutethimide, acamprosate calcium, secobarbital, butalbital, flurazepam, metharbital, chlordiazepoxide, methohexital, newest update first, live from ClinicalTrials.gov. Each reason is quoted exactly as the registry gives it; we do not sort reasons into safety, efficacy or business. Dates are the last registry update. Showing the 10 most recent of 10.

  • terminated · 2026-04-06 · University of Oklahoma · matched by the registry's drug synonyms
    “Recruitment barriers.”
  • withdrawn · 2024-09-25 · Henry Ford Health System · matched by the registry's drug synonyms
    “Study was never initiated.”
  • withdrawn · 2023-08-01 · University of New Mexico · matched by the registry's drug synonyms
    “PI left the institution”
  • withdrawn · 2021-04-13 · Synchroneuron Inc. · matched by the registry's drug synonyms
    “Funding stopped, company closed”
  • withdrawn · 2021-04-13 · Synchroneuron Inc. · matched by the registry's drug synonyms
    “Funding terminated; company closed”
  • terminated · 2018-02-28 · Hannover Medical School · Flurazepam
    No reason given
  • terminated · 2016-05-11 · Virginia Commonwealth University · matched by the registry's drug synonyms
    “Not enough sugjects enrolled before funding ran out”
  • withdrawn · 2015-11-13 · Baylor College of Medicine · matched by the registry's drug synonyms
    “PI left site”
  • terminated · 2013-08-30 · James Murrough · Methohexital
    “limited enrollment”
  • terminated · 2012-09-27 · H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute · aminoglutethimide
    “low accrual”
Paediatric incentives and obligations for GABRA1's drugs

For halazepam, quazepam, prazepam, ethchlorvynol, glutethimide, acamprosate calcium, secobarbital, butalbital, flurazepam, metharbital, chlordiazepoxide, methohexital: what EMA and FDA publish about paediatric plans, orphan status and pediatric approvals, and how many registered studies take children. Each line is a yes, no or not published fact from the record linked under it; none of it is a forecast.

  • EU paediatric investigation plan: no · No EMA paediatric investigation plan decision names halazepam, quazepam, prazepam, ethchlorvynol, glutethimide, acamprosate calcium, secobarbital, butalbital, flurazepam, metharbital, chlordiazepoxide, methohexital
    Rule: An EMA PIP decision (agreement, modification or waiver) lists the drug as its active substance, exact name. Source: EMA data download (dated snapshot), 2026-11-11
  • EU orphan designation: yes · EU/3/14/1337 positive 15 Oct 2014: Treatment of fragile X syndrome
    Rule: An EU orphan designation lists the drug as its active substance (exact name) or belongs to a medicine that does; withdrawn and expired designations are listed with their status. Source: EMA EU/3/14/1337, 2026-11-11
  • Authorised in the EU: no · EMA lists no centrally authorised medicine of halazepam, quazepam, prazepam, ethchlorvynol, glutethimide, acamprosate calcium, secobarbital, butalbital, flurazepam, metharbital, chlordiazepoxide, methohexital
    Rule: An EMA medicine record lists the drug as its active substance or INN, exact name; national-only authorisations are not in this file. Source: EMA data download (dated snapshot), 2026-11-11
  • FDA orphan designation: not published · FDA's orphan designation database turns away automated requests, so this app does not read it; search it by hand at the link
    Rule: Would be: an FDA orphan designation names the drug. Source: FDA orphan designations search
  • FDA pediatric oncology approval: no · FDA's table lists no pediatric approval of halazepam, quazepam, prazepam, ethchlorvynol, glutethimide, acamprosate calcium, secobarbital, butalbital, flurazepam, metharbital, chlordiazepoxide, methohexital
    Rule: FDA's Pediatric Oncology Drug Approvals table names the drug. Source: FDA Pediatric Oncology Drug Approvals (content current as of 2026-03-03), 2026-11-11
  • Registered studies open to children: yes · 7 interventional studies of halazepam, quazepam, prazepam, ethchlorvynol, glutethimide, acamprosate calcium, secobarbital, butalbital, flurazepam, metharbital, chlordiazepoxide, methohexital include patients under 18; 0 are recruiting, not yet recruiting or active
    Rule: The registry's age group includes Child (birth to 17 years), which also counts studies that set no minimum age. Source: ClinicalTrials.gov search, 2026-11-11

Rare pediatric disease voucher. FDA, content current as of 29 Apr 2026: “As of February 3, 2026, enactment of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2026, the rare pediatric disease PRV program will sunset after September 30, 2029. FDA may not award any PRVs under this program after September 30, 2029.” Voucher sale prices are not shown here; they appear only as company-reported news. FDA: Rare Pediatric Disease Designation and Priority Review Voucher Programs

All 76 drugs and clinical candidates as a table

Each drug, stage and indication links to its Open Targets record, where the trials and approvals behind it are listed. Salt forms (for example a mesylate) are listed as Open Targets records them, as separate entries.

DrugTypeHighest stageIndicationsSource records
HALAZEPAMSmall moleculeapprovalanxiety disorder, anxietyOpen Targets · ChEMBL
QUAZEPAMSmall moleculeapprovalinsomniaOpen Targets · ChEMBL
PRAZEPAMSmall moleculeapprovalanxiety disorder, anxietyOpen Targets · ChEMBL
ETHCHLORVYNOLSmall moleculeapprovalinsomniaOpen Targets · ChEMBL
GLUTETHIMIDESmall moleculeapprovalinsomniaOpen Targets · ChEMBL
ACAMPROSATE CALCIUMSmall moleculeapprovalalcohol dependence, Tourette syndromeOpen Targets · ChEMBL
SECOBARBITALSmall moleculeapproval–Open Targets · ChEMBL
BUTALBITALSmall moleculeapprovalmigraine disorder, Headache, anxiety disorder, drug dependenceOpen Targets · ChEMBL
FLURAZEPAM HYDROCHLORIDESmall moleculeapprovalinsomniaOpen Targets · ChEMBL
METHARBITALSmall moleculeapprovalepilepsyOpen Targets · ChEMBL
CHLORDIAZEPOXIDE HYDROCHLORIDESmall moleculeapproval–Open Targets · ChEMBL
METHOHEXITALSmall moleculeapproval–Open Targets · ChEMBL
PRIMIDONESmall moleculeapprovalepilepsy, essential tremorOpen Targets · ChEMBL
CHLORDIAZEPOXIDESmall moleculeapprovalalcohol dependence, anxiety disorder, anxiety, alcohol withdrawal, depressive disorderOpen Targets · ChEMBL
BUTABARBITALSmall moleculeapprovalinsomniaOpen Targets · ChEMBL
ZURANOLONESmall moleculeapprovalpostpartum depression, major depressive disorder, insomnia, Parkinson disease, essential tremor, bipolar disorder, major depressive episode, mood disorderOpen Targets · ChEMBL
HALOTHANESmall moleculeapprovalseptic shock, SepsisOpen Targets · ChEMBL
CLORAZEPATE DIPOTASSIUMSmall moleculeapprovalSeizure, anxiety disorderOpen Targets · ChEMBL
TALBUTALSmall moleculeapprovalIrritabilityOpen Targets · ChEMBL
OXAZEPAMSmall moleculeapprovalAgitation, anxiety disorder, anxiety, smoking cessation, cocaine use disorder, HIV infectious disease, nicotine dependence, cocaine dependence, +1 moreOpen Targets · ChEMBL
CLOTIAZEPAMSmall moleculeapprovalanxiety disorder, anxietyOpen Targets · ChEMBL
CLORAZEPIC ACIDSmall moleculeapprovalanxiety disorderOpen Targets · ChEMBL
GANAXOLONESmall moleculeapprovalepilepsy, Seizure, infantile spasms, epilepsy syndrome, Focal impaired awareness seizure, status epilepticus, postpartum depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, +6 moreOpen Targets · ChEMBL
THIAMYLALSmall moleculeapproval–Open Targets · ChEMBL
METHYPRYLONSmall moleculeapprovalinsomniaOpen Targets · ChEMBL
FLURAZEPAMSmall moleculeapprovalinsomniaOpen Targets · ChEMBL
TRICLOFOS SODIUMSmall moleculeapprovalinsomniaOpen Targets · ChEMBL
INDIPLONSmall moleculeapprovalfibromyalgia, insomnia, major depressive disorderOpen Targets · ChEMBL
ENFLURANESmall moleculeapprovalseptic shock, SepsisOpen Targets · ChEMBL
ETIFOXINESmall moleculeapprovalanxiety, multiple sclerosis symptom measurementOpen Targets · ChEMBL
THIOPENTALSmall moleculephase 4status epilepticus, brain injury, intracranial hypertension, septic shock, sedation, morbid obesity, Bradycardia, prostate cancerOpen Targets · ChEMBL
CLONAZEPAMSmall moleculephase 4Seizure, panic disorder, epilepsy, Pain, status epilepticus, burning mouth syndrome, REM sleep behavior disorder, Parkinson disease, +8 moreOpen Targets · ChEMBL
PROPOFOLSmall moleculephase 4status epilepticus, brain injury, breast cancer, sedation, endometrial cancer, obesity disorder, hypertensive disorder, myocardial infarction, +144 moreOpen Targets · ChEMBL
ETOMIDATESmall moleculephase 4hypertensive disorder, ischemic stroke, sedation, Sepsis, adrenocortical insufficiency, injury, morbid obesity, psychiatric disorder, +8 moreOpen Targets · ChEMBL
CENOBAMATESmall moleculephase 4Seizure, Focal impaired awareness seizure, epilepsy, photosensitive epilepsy, Focal-onset seizure, status epilepticus, focal epilepsyOpen Targets · ChEMBL
ISOFLURANESmall moleculephase 4kidney injury, Hydrocephalus, delirium, sedation, mitral valve disorder, aortic valve disorder, acute respiratory distress syndrome, major depressive disorder, +19 moreOpen Targets · ChEMBL
ESTAZOLAMSmall moleculephase 4insomniaOpen Targets · ChEMBL
DESFLURANESmall moleculephase 4Intellectual disability, delirium, cognitive disorder, septic shock, Sepsis, asthma, chronic kidney disease, stage 5 chronic kidney disease, +18 moreOpen Targets · ChEMBL
BREXANOLONESmall moleculephase 4postpartum depression, depressive disorder, major depressive disorder, status epilepticus, acute respiratory distress syndrome, concussion, post-traumatic stress disorder, brain injury, +8 moreOpen Targets · ChEMBL
LORAZEPAMSmall moleculephase 4major depressive disorder, anxiety disorder, status epilepticus, anxiety, convulsion, generalized anxiety disorder, panic disorder, bipolar disorder, +20 moreOpen Targets · ChEMBL
MIDAZOLAMSmall moleculephase 4epilepsy, status epilepticus, Irritability, anxiety, depressive disorder, major depressive disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, Agitation, +72 moreOpen Targets · ChEMBL
CIPEPOFOLSmall moleculephase 4sedation, hypotensive disorder, major depressive disorder, depressive disorder, insomnia, obesity disorder, Vomiting, Nausea, +5 moreOpen Targets · ChEMBL
ZOLPIDEM TARTRATESmall moleculephase 4insomniaOpen Targets · ChEMBL
MIDAZOLAM HYDROCHLORIDESmall moleculephase 4amnesia, status epilepticus, epilepsy, anxietyOpen Targets · ChEMBL
ALPRAZOLAMSmall moleculephase 4anxiety disorder, panic disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, anxiety, Seizure, Pain, epilepsy, photosensitive epilepsy, +5 moreOpen Targets · ChEMBL
REMIMAZOLAMSmall moleculephase 4Loss of consciousness, sedation, Cognitive impairment, acute respiratory failure, pregnancy, hypotensive disorder, hypoxia, cerebrovascular disorder, +14 moreOpen Targets · ChEMBL
CLOBAZAMSmall moleculephase 4epilepsy, anxiety, Lennox-Gastaut syndrome, Seizure, anxiety disorder, Atonic seizure, Pain, Low back pain, +3 moreOpen Targets · ChEMBL
REMIMAZOLAM BESYLATESmall moleculephase 4sedation, Loss of consciousness, Hypoxemia, atrial fibrillation, coronary artery disorder, breast cancer, aortic stenosis, hypotensive disorder, +1 moreOpen Targets · ChEMBL
DIAZEPAMSmall moleculephase 4epilepsy, Agitation, stiff-person syndrome, cerebral palsy, anxiety disorder, anxiety, status epilepticus, Seizure, +21 moreOpen Targets · ChEMBL
TOPIRAMATESmall moleculephase 4epilepsy, migraine disorder, alcohol dependence, Seizure, Lennox-Gastaut syndrome, bipolar disorder, bipolar I disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, +54 moreOpen Targets · ChEMBL
ACAMPROSATESmall moleculephase 4alcohol dependence, eating disorder, alcohol withdrawal, cocaine dependence, fragile X syndrome, autism, Alzheimer disease, major depressive disorder, +8 moreOpen Targets · ChEMBL
SEVOFLURANESmall moleculephase 4endometrial cancer, myocardial infarction, delirium, sedation, Inguinal hernia, neurodevelopmental disorder, Pain, acute respiratory distress syndrome, +83 moreOpen Targets · ChEMBL
TEMAZEPAMSmall moleculephase 4insomnia, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, Sleep disturbanceOpen Targets · ChEMBL
ZOLPIDEMSmall moleculephase 4insomnia, generalized anxiety disorder, panic disorder, bipolar disorder, Alzheimer disease, sleep disorder, Sleep disturbance, Parkinson disease, +7 moreOpen Targets · ChEMBL
ESZOPICLONESmall moleculephase 4insomnia, Parkinson disease, rheumatoid arthritis, major depressive disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, obstructive sleep apnea syndrome, generalized anxiety disorder, Apnea, +7 moreOpen Targets · ChEMBL
THIOPENTAL SODIUMSmall moleculephase 4–Open Targets · ChEMBL
FLUMAZENILSmall moleculephase 4alcohol withdrawal, alcohol dependence, obsessive-compulsive disorder, hypersomnia, Parkinson disease, post operative nausea and vomiting, sedation, atrial fibrillation, +2 moreOpen Targets · ChEMBL
PADSEVONILSmall moleculephase 3Focal-onset seizure, epilepsy, focal epilepsy, SeizureOpen Targets · ChEMBL
CLOMETHIAZOLESmall moleculephase 3stroke disorderOpen Targets · ChEMBL
PAGOCLONESmall moleculephase 2 3anxiety disorder, stutter disorder, premature ejaculationOpen Targets · ChEMBL
ADIPIPLONSmall moleculephase 2sleep-wake disorder, insomniaOpen Targets · ChEMBL
DARIGABATSmall moleculephase 2Chronic pain, Low back pain, generalized anxiety disorder, photosensitive epilepsy, Focal-onset seizure, panic disorder, Pain, SeizureOpen Targets · ChEMBL
ABP-700Small moleculephase 2–Open Targets · ChEMBL
RESEQUINILSmall moleculephase 2epilepsy, Alzheimer diseaseOpen Targets · ChEMBL
MEPROBAMATESmall moleculewithdrawalanxiety disorder, malaria, anxietyOpen Targets · ChEMBL
METHAQUALONE HYDROCHLORIDESmall moleculewithdrawal–Open Targets · ChEMBL
PENTOBARBITAL SODIUMSmall moleculewithdrawal–Open Targets · ChEMBL
METHOXYFLURANESmall moleculewithdrawalPain, Fever, anxietyOpen Targets · ChEMBL
FLUNITRAZEPAMSmall moleculewithdrawalinsomniaOpen Targets · ChEMBL
TETRAZEPAMSmall moleculewithdrawal–Open Targets · ChEMBL
TRIAZOLAMSmall moleculewithdrawalinsomnia, anxietyOpen Targets · ChEMBL
PENTOBARBITALSmall moleculewithdrawalinsomnia, status epilepticus, brain injury, intracranial hypertensionOpen Targets · ChEMBL
METHAQUALONESmall moleculewithdrawalinsomniaOpen Targets · ChEMBL
ZOPICLONESmall moleculewithdrawalinsomnia, obstructive sleep apnea syndrome, Alzheimer disease, sleep disorder, Cognitive impairment, Chronic painOpen Targets · ChEMBL
ZALEPLONSmall moleculewithdrawalinsomnia, generalized anxiety disorder, panic disorder, bipolar disorder, depressive disorder, major depressive disorderOpen Targets · ChEMBL
SECOBARBITAL SODIUMSmall moleculewithdrawal–Open Targets · ChEMBL