What is a key characteristic of inverse agonists?

Inverse agonists have a key characteristic of producing effects that are opposite to those of a specific neurotransmitter. This distinguishes them from antagonists, which block the action of neurotransmitters, and from agonists, which mimic the effects of neurotransmitters.

When an inverse agonist binds to a receptor, it stabilizes the receptor in an inactive state, thereby reducing its baseline activity. This results in outcomes that counteract the natural effects of the neurotransmitter that would typically activate that receptor. For example, if a neurotransmitter normally produces excitatory effects when it binds to its receptor, an inverse agonist would inhibit these excitatory effects, creating a dampening response that contrasts with what the neurotransmitter would typically do.

This characteristic is important in pharmacology and therapeutics, as inverse agonists can be used to modulate physiological processes in ways that are beneficial when there is an overstimulation of receptor activity due to excess neurotransmitter presence.