Excitatory amino acids and Alzheimer's disease: idle thoughts on an exciting subject.
The reported loss of cortical glutaminase activity in Alzheimer's disease is another possible indicator of loss of glutamate neurons. A diversity of excitatory amino acids (EAA) and NMDA receptor subtypes might explain selective neuronal losses of neurons in various diseases. Weaknesses in the arguments presented are the multiple actions of THA and that 2-amino-3-(methylamino)propionate is probably not an EAA.
McGeer
E G
EG
Department of Psychiatry, University of British Columbia, Vancouver.
D000544:Alzheimer Disease / Q000378:metabolism*; D000596:Amino Acids / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000633:toxicity; D006801:Humans; D017981:Receptors, Neurotransmitter / Q000378:metabolism*
D000596:Amino Acids; D017981:Receptors, Neurotransmitter