title: L-arginine and nitric oxide in CNS function and neurodegenerative diseases.
abstract: One of the main functions of L-arginine (ARG) is the synthesis of nitric oxide (NO). NO is an important regulator of physiological processes in the central nervous system (CNS). NO promotes optimal cerebral blood flow, consolidates memory processes, facilitates long-term potentiation, maintains sleep-wake cycles, and assists in normal olfaction. However, at pathological levels, NO adversely affects brain function producing nitroxidative stress and promoting development of neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease and other disorders of the CNS. This review summarizes current knowledge of the role of NO in the CNS and the role of diet in regulating the levels of NO.
authors.affiliation: Department of Exercise and Nutrition Sciences, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY 14214-3000, USA.
authors.forename: Mayur
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Virarkar
authors.forename: Lini
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Alappat
authors.forename: Peter G
authors.initials: PG
authors.lastname: Bradford
authors.forename: Atif B
authors.initials: AB
authors.lastname: Awad
mesh_terms: D000544:Alzheimer Disease / Q000097:blood / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid / Q000503:physiopathology; D000818:Animals; D001120:Arginine / Q000097:blood / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid / Q000502:physiology*; D002490:Central Nervous System / Q000503:physiopathology*; D002493:Central Nervous System Diseases / Q000503:physiopathology; D004032:Diet; D006801:Humans; D019636:Neurodegenerative Diseases / Q000503:physiopathology*; D009569:Nitric Oxide / Q000097:blood / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid / Q000502:physiology*; D019001:Nitric Oxide Synthase; D010300:Parkinson Disease / Q000097:blood / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid / Q000503:physiopathology
chemical_list: D009569:Nitric Oxide; D001120:Arginine; D019001:Nitric Oxide Synthase