title: The role of thiamine in nervous tissue.
abstract: The possibility that thiamine (vitamin B1) has a role in nervous tissue that is independent of its well-documented coenzyme function is discussed. After reviewing the localization and metabolism of the vitamin and its phosphate esters, the effects of either thiamine deprivation or antimetabolites of thiamine on conduction and transmission, and the relationship between thiamine triphosphate and the genetic, neurological disease, subacute necrotizing encephalomyelopathy (Leigh's disease), it is suggested that despite the lack of hard evidence, it is likely that the vitamin possesses this alternate function.
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001921:Brain / Q000201:enzymology; D001927:Brain Diseases / Q000235:genetics; D002417:Cattle; D003067:Coenzymes / Q000378:metabolism; D005399:Fishes; D007655:Ketoglutarate Dehydrogenase Complex / Q000378:metabolism; D009424:Nervous System Physiological Phenomena; D009431:Neural Conduction / Q000187:drug effects; D018377:Neurotransmitter Agents / Q000502:physiology; D010119:Oxythiamine / Q000494:pharmacology; D010766:Phosphorylation; D011745:Pyrithiamine / Q000494:pharmacology; D011768:Pyruvate Dehydrogenase Complex / Q000378:metabolism; D011817:Rabbits; D051381:Rats; D009435:Synaptic Transmission; D013577:Syndrome; D013836:Thiamin Pyrophosphokinase / Q000378:metabolism; D013831:Thiamine / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D013832:Thiamine Deficiency; D013835:Thiamine Pyrophosphate / Q000172:deficiency; D014174:Transketolase / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D003067:Coenzymes; D018377:Neurotransmitter Agents; D011768:Pyruvate Dehydrogenase Complex; D010119:Oxythiamine; D011745:Pyrithiamine; D007655:Ketoglutarate Dehydrogenase Complex; D014174:Transketolase; D013836:Thiamin Pyrophosphokinase; D013835:Thiamine Pyrophosphate; D013831:Thiamine