title: Are purines mediators of the anticonvulsant/neuroprotective effects of ketogenic diets?
abstract: Abnormal neuronal signaling caused by metabolic changes characterizes several neurological disorders, and in some instances metabolic interventions provide therapeutic benefits. Indeed, altering metabolism either by fasting or by maintaining a low-carbohydrate (ketogenic) diet might reduce epileptic seizures and offer neuroprotection in part because the diet increases mitochondrial biogenesis and brain energy levels. Here we focus on a novel hypothesis that a ketogenic diet-induced change in energy metabolism increases levels of ATP and adenosine, purines that are critically involved in neuron-glia interactions, neuromodulation and synaptic plasticity. Enhancing brain bioenergetics (ATP) and increasing levels of adenosine, an endogenous anticonvulsant and neuroprotective molecule, might help with understanding and treating a variety of neurological disorders.
authors.affiliation: Neuroscience Program/Psychology Department, Trinity College, Life Sciences Center, 300 Summit Street, Hartford, CT 06106, USA. susan.masino@trincoll.edu
authors.forename: Susan A
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Masino
authors.forename: Jonathan D
authors.initials: JD
authors.lastname: Geiger
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001927:Brain Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy*; D050528:Diet, Carbohydrate-Restricted; D006801:Humans; D018696:Neuroprotective Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011687:Purines / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D018696:Neuroprotective Agents; D011687:Purines