Methyltetrahydrofolate as an antagonist of excitatory amino acids on spinal neurones.
Folate and N5-methyl-5,6,7,8-tetrahydrofolate (MTHF) have been reported to have excitatory effects upon cortical neurones, possibly due to interaction with kainate receptors. On spinal neurones these compounds have been found inactive as excitants; however MTHF is a weak antagonist of kainate and N-methyl-D-aspartate excitations, and less effectively blocks quisqualate also. It thus resembles the antagonist 2,3-piperidine dicarboxylate.
D000596:Amino Acids / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors*; D000818:Animals; D001224:Aspartic Acid / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000494:pharmacology; D005492:Folic Acid / Q000494:pharmacology; D007608:Kainic Acid / Q000494:pharmacology; D016202:N-Methylaspartate; D009474:Neurons / Q000187:drug effects*; D010069:Oxadiazoles / Q000494:pharmacology; D016318:Quisqualic Acid; D051381:Rats; D013116:Spinal Cord / Q000187:drug effects*; D013763:Tetrahydrofolates / Q000494:pharmacology*
D000596:Amino Acids; D010069:Oxadiazoles; D013763:Tetrahydrofolates; D001224:Aspartic Acid; D016202:N-Methylaspartate; D016318:Quisqualic Acid; D005492:Folic Acid; D007608:Kainic Acid; C005984:5-methyltetrahydrofolate