Importance of Modulating Kynurenic Acid Metabolism—Approaches for the Treatment of Dementia
In this article, we focus on kynurenic acid metabolism in neuropsychiatric disorders and the biochemical processes involved in memory and cognitive impairment, followed by different approaches in the fight against dementia. Kynurenic acid—a biochemical part of L-tryptophan catabolism—is synthesized...
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MDPI AG
2025-01-01
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| Series: | Biomolecules |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2218-273X/15/1/74 |
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| author | Halina Baran Marcelin Jan Pietryja Berthold Kepplinger |
| author_facet | Halina Baran Marcelin Jan Pietryja Berthold Kepplinger |
| author_sort | Halina Baran |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | In this article, we focus on kynurenic acid metabolism in neuropsychiatric disorders and the biochemical processes involved in memory and cognitive impairment, followed by different approaches in the fight against dementia. Kynurenic acid—a biochemical part of L-tryptophan catabolism—is synthesized from L-kynurenine by kynurenine aminotransferases. Experimental pharmacological studies have shown that elevated levels of kynurenic acid in the brain are associated with impaired learning and that lowering kynurenic acid levels can improve these symptoms. The discovery of new compounds with the ability to block kynurenine aminotransferases opens new therapeutic avenues for the treatment of memory impairment and dementia. The newly developed <i>Helix pomatia</i> snail model of memory can be used for the assessment of novel pharmacological approaches. Dietary supplementation with natural molecular/herbal extracts, exercise, and physical activity have significant impacts on endogenous pharmacology by reducing kynurenic acid synthesis, and these factors are likely to significantly modulate steady-state biological conditions and delay the negative consequences of aging, including the onset of pathological processes. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-18dc643484d84bc7b75d06bc2a9e8853 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2218-273X |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-01-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Biomolecules |
| spelling | doaj-art-18dc643484d84bc7b75d06bc2a9e88532025-01-24T13:25:05ZengMDPI AGBiomolecules2218-273X2025-01-011517410.3390/biom15010074Importance of Modulating Kynurenic Acid Metabolism—Approaches for the Treatment of DementiaHalina Baran0Marcelin Jan Pietryja1Berthold Kepplinger2Karl Landsteiner Research Institute for Neurochemistry, Neuropharmacology, Neurorehabilitation and Pain Therapy, 3362 Mauer-Amstetten, AustriaSt. Francis Herbarium, Monastery of the Franciscan Friars Minor, 40-760 Katowice, PolandKarl Landsteiner Research Institute for Neurochemistry, Neuropharmacology, Neurorehabilitation and Pain Therapy, 3362 Mauer-Amstetten, AustriaIn this article, we focus on kynurenic acid metabolism in neuropsychiatric disorders and the biochemical processes involved in memory and cognitive impairment, followed by different approaches in the fight against dementia. Kynurenic acid—a biochemical part of L-tryptophan catabolism—is synthesized from L-kynurenine by kynurenine aminotransferases. Experimental pharmacological studies have shown that elevated levels of kynurenic acid in the brain are associated with impaired learning and that lowering kynurenic acid levels can improve these symptoms. The discovery of new compounds with the ability to block kynurenine aminotransferases opens new therapeutic avenues for the treatment of memory impairment and dementia. The newly developed <i>Helix pomatia</i> snail model of memory can be used for the assessment of novel pharmacological approaches. Dietary supplementation with natural molecular/herbal extracts, exercise, and physical activity have significant impacts on endogenous pharmacology by reducing kynurenic acid synthesis, and these factors are likely to significantly modulate steady-state biological conditions and delay the negative consequences of aging, including the onset of pathological processes.https://www.mdpi.com/2218-273X/15/1/74kynurenic acidxanthurenic aciddementiaplaquecerebrolysinD-cycloserine |
| spellingShingle | Halina Baran Marcelin Jan Pietryja Berthold Kepplinger Importance of Modulating Kynurenic Acid Metabolism—Approaches for the Treatment of Dementia Biomolecules kynurenic acid xanthurenic acid dementia plaque cerebrolysin D-cycloserine |
| title | Importance of Modulating Kynurenic Acid Metabolism—Approaches for the Treatment of Dementia |
| title_full | Importance of Modulating Kynurenic Acid Metabolism—Approaches for the Treatment of Dementia |
| title_fullStr | Importance of Modulating Kynurenic Acid Metabolism—Approaches for the Treatment of Dementia |
| title_full_unstemmed | Importance of Modulating Kynurenic Acid Metabolism—Approaches for the Treatment of Dementia |
| title_short | Importance of Modulating Kynurenic Acid Metabolism—Approaches for the Treatment of Dementia |
| title_sort | importance of modulating kynurenic acid metabolism approaches for the treatment of dementia |
| topic | kynurenic acid xanthurenic acid dementia plaque cerebrolysin D-cycloserine |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2218-273X/15/1/74 |
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