Biomaterial Database

Amino acids in neurotransmission and disease. 1995

M Kalloniatis

Department of Optometry and Vision Sciences, University of Melbourne Parkville, Australia.

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.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D009435	Synaptic Transmission	The communication from a NEURON to a target (neuron, muscle, or secretory cell) across a SYNAPSE. In chemical synaptic transmission, the presynaptic neuron releases a NEUROTRANSMITTER that diffuses across the synaptic cleft and binds to specific synaptic receptors, activating them. The activated receptors modulate specific ion channels and/or second-messenger systems in the postsynaptic cell. In electrical synaptic transmission, electrical signals are communicated as an ionic current flow across ELECTRICAL SYNAPSES.	Neural Transmission,Neurotransmission,Transmission, Neural,Transmission, Synaptic
D012160	Retina	The ten-layered nervous tissue membrane of the eye. It is continuous with the OPTIC NERVE and receives images of external objects and transmits visual impulses to the brain. Its outer surface is in contact with the CHOROID and the inner surface with the VITREOUS BODY. The outer-most layer is pigmented, whereas the inner nine layers are transparent.	Ora Serrata
D006801	Humans	Members of the species Homo sapiens.	Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D001369	Axons	Nerve fibers that are capable of rapidly conducting impulses away from the neuron cell body.	Axon
D016923	Cell Death	The termination of the cell's ability to carry out vital functions such as metabolism, growth, reproduction, responsiveness, and adaptability.	Death, Cell
D017729	Presynaptic Terminals	The distal terminations of axons which are specialized for the release of neurotransmitters. Also included are varicosities along the course of axons which have similar specializations and also release transmitters. Presynaptic terminals in both the central and peripheral nervous systems are included.	Axon Terminals,Nerve Endings, Presynaptic,Synaptic Boutons,Synaptic Terminals,Axon Terminal,Bouton, Synaptic,Boutons, Synaptic,Ending, Presynaptic Nerve,Endings, Presynaptic Nerve,Nerve Ending, Presynaptic,Presynaptic Nerve Ending,Presynaptic Nerve Endings,Presynaptic Terminal,Synaptic Bouton,Synaptic Terminal,Terminal, Axon,Terminal, Presynaptic,Terminal, Synaptic,Terminals, Axon,Terminals, Presynaptic,Terminals, Synaptic
D018377	Neurotransmitter Agents	Substances used for their pharmacological actions on any aspect of neurotransmitter systems. Neurotransmitter agents include agonists, antagonists, degradation inhibitors, uptake inhibitors, depleters, precursors, and modulators of receptor function.	Nerve Transmitter Substance,Neurohormone,Neurohumor,Neurotransmitter Agent,Nerve Transmitter Substances,Neurohormones,Neurohumors,Neuromodulator,Neuromodulators,Neuroregulator,Neuroregulators,Neurotransmitter,Neurotransmitters,Substances, Nerve Transmitter,Transmitter Substances, Nerve,Substance, Nerve Transmitter,Transmitter Substance, Nerve