Development and therapeutic potential of kynurenic acid and kynurenine derivatives for neuroprotection.
Manipulation of the kynurenine pathway of tryptophan metabolism has yielded a plethora of agents that are now being developed as neuroprotectants and anticonvulsants. This pathway is involved in the production of the excitotoxin quinolinic acid and the neuroprotectant kynurenic acid. Approaches used in the development of therapeutic agents include production of analogues or pro-drugs of kynurenic acid and inhibitors of the enzyme responsible for the synthesis of quinolinic acid. Indeed, analogues of the amino acid receptor antagonist kynurenic acid are now in, or are about to enter, clinical trials for stroke and related disorders. This review summarizes the mechanism of action of these various agents, the development of glutamate receptor antagonists from kynurenic acid and the range of their potential uses in neurology and psychiatry.
Stone
T W
TW
Institute of Biomedical and Life Sciences, West Medical Building, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK. T.W.Stone@bio.gla.ac.uk
D000818:Animals; D018691:Excitatory Amino Acid Antagonists / Q000494:pharmacology; D006801:Humans; D007736:Kynurenic Acid / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D007737:Kynurenine / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D018696:Neuroprotective Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016194:Receptors, N-Methyl-D-Aspartate / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors
D018691:Excitatory Amino Acid Antagonists; D018696:Neuroprotective Agents; D016194:Receptors, N-Methyl-D-Aspartate; D007737:Kynurenine; D007736:Kynurenic Acid