I'm not really sure. "Anti" would seem to suggest that it opposes something. Doctors love the analogy of an anti-body taking residence in order to "fight" a virus or some other bad guy.

Oh Kay.

So the anti-GAD antibody is fighting GAD? GAD is an enzyme helpful to GABA. GABA is a neurotransmitter that is also an inhibitor to other neurotransmitters like serotonin, dopamine and norepinephrine. GABA is THE inhibitory neurotransmitter on the job. So, anti-GAD kicks the pawns, the GAD enzymes, that defend and create the powerful GABA, thus lowering the amount of GABA in your noggin (and spinal fluid).

wot. Sounds like a sci-fi novel.

What's an enzyme? I can buy some at the health food store. I've even seen GABA in a bottle. (Just a friendly reminder that most health supplements are garbage.)

I take GABA in a bottle, in this wonder drug called diazepam (valium). GABA is also found in alcohol.

So, this is what I know or think I know.

From Googling:

If you don't have enough GABA, you can get Stiff Person Syndrome, diabetes, manic-depression, ADHD, PTSD and the list goes on. I'll mention anxiety attacks below.

OT: I list these psychiatric diseases b/c after years and years, I still can't get a diagnosis re: my "mood disorder."

From experience:

Booze lowers your inhibitions (fight or flight, ref. norepinephrine?), makes you depressed (serotonin?) and makes you lethargic/creates muscle weakness (dopamine, eh?).

That sound right. [corrections appreciated]

I take valium. It relaxes my muscles and calms the startle reflex. It doesn't make me sleepy, tho. And it doesn't make me drunk or high. Through almost 9 years of experience with this drug, I've seen how powerful it is on other people. Do not try it - very addictive to the normal human. I'm not normal, evidently. (Not special either. Some people have anxiety attacks and take a similar GABA-ergic! drug called Xanax and don't get "addicted.") I love the word Gaba-ergic. Someone ought to give scientists a good thesaurus. Stiff Man Syndrome is an honored member in The Hall of Ridiculous Disease Names. It not even a "syndrome". How 'bout a dictionary?

Insulin is a very direct, pass "go" metabolizing tool. They began using insulin before they figured out what GABA did to little baby rodents. It simply ignores your lack of GAD and GABA and goes right into the fray to fight off those bad sugars.

Booze and vinegar also lower blood sugar. How does that work?

Do we go to the health-food store and buy lots of GAD enzymes to help lower our blood sugar and keep us sane?

Or do we continue using the big guns to fight/out-flank this antibody, anti-GAD? Right now, I'm sticking with the big guns.