title: Taurine and epilepsy.
abstract: Dysfunction of excitatory and inhibitory neurotransmitters or neuromodulators is thought to underlie epileptic symptoms. Taurine, 2-aminoethanesulfonate, is a ubiquitous free amino acid abounding in the brain of humans and most animal species. It hyperpolarizes neurons and inhibits their firing. It may be a participating factor in certain subpopulations of epilepsy patients but its deficiency is not a universal prerequisite for seizures. Here, the participation of taurine in animal seizure models and human epilepsy patients is reviewed.
authors: Department of Paediatrics, Tampere University Hospital, Finland. simo.oja@uta.fi
authors: Simo S
authors: SS
authors: Oja
authors: Pirjo
authors: P
authors: Saransaari
mesh_terms: D000596:Amino Acids / Q000378:metabolism; D000818:Animals; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D004827:Epilepsy / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000503:physiopathology; D006801:Humans; D018377:Neurotransmitter Agents / Q000378:metabolism; D013654:Taurine / Q000172:deficiency / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D000596:Amino Acids; D018377:Neurotransmitter Agents; D013654:Taurine