How to make GABA pass the blood brain barrier?

Question

I thought of methylating GABA at the gamma amino group in order to make it pass the blood brain barrier, but would it work?The goal is to make a sedative. Like GHB or benzodiazepines (I know that benzos have a totally different structure) Any ideas on how to make GABA pass the blood brain barrier?

Answer 1

Why use methylated GABA when beta-phenyl-gamma-aminobutyric acid (hydrochloride salt) has already been made and tried. Also, the niacin analogue of GABA has been used successfully to increase brain GABA levels. Not sure the methyl derivative would work, but it may.