Amino acids in neurotransmission and disease.

BACKGROUND

The amino acids, glutamate, GABA and glycine are involved in normal cellular function as well as in neuro-transmission. Glutamate in particular may be linked to neuron development and an oversupply may be the major cause of many acute and chronic neurological diseases. Such diseases include retinopathy of prematurity, glaucoma, hypertension, diabetes and ischemic damage secondary to vessel occlusion.

CONCLUSIONS

This paper provides a review of the localization, proposed function and the mechanisms of manufacture and deactivation of the amino acid neurotransmitters. Current mechanisms of excitotoxicity are also discussed. In addition, the data presented from an animal model of retinal ischemia show morphological and neurochemical changes consistent with glutamate induced neurotoxicity.