title: Stress-related regulation of the kynurenine pathway: Relevance to neuropsychiatric and degenerative disorders.
abstract: The kynurenine pathway (KP), which is activated in times of stress and infection has been implicated in the pathophysiology of neurodegenerative and psychiatric disorders. Activation of this tryptophan metabolising pathway results in the production of neuroactive metabolites which have the potential to interfere with normal neuronal functioning which may contribute to altered neuronal transmission and the emergence of symptoms of these brain disorders. This review investigates the involvement of the KP in a range of neurological disorders, examining recent in vitro, in vivo and clinical discoveries highlights evidence to indicate that the KP is a potential therapeutic target in both neurodegenerative and stress-related neuropsychiatric disorders. Furthermore, this review identifies gaps in our knowledge with regard to this field which are yet to be examined to lead to a more comprehensive understanding of the role of KP activation in brain health and disease. This article is part of the Special Issue entitled 'The Kynurenine Pathway in Health and Disease'.
authors.affiliation: Neuropsychopharmacology Research Group, School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences & Trinity College Institute of Neuroscience, Trinity College Dublin, Ireland.
authors.forename: Katherine
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: O'Farrell
authors.affiliation: Neuropsychopharmacology Research Group, School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences & Trinity College Institute of Neuroscience, Trinity College Dublin, Ireland; Neuroimmunology Research Group, Department of Physiology, School of Medicine & Trinity College Institute of Neuroscience, Trinity College Dublin, Ireland. Electronic address: aharkin@tcd.ie.
authors.forename: Andrew
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Harkin
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D006801:Humans; D007737:Kynurenine / Q000378:metabolism*; D053858:Metabolic Networks and Pathways / Q000502:physiology*; D009422:Nervous System Diseases / Q000378:metabolism*; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D007737:Kynurenine
keywords: Inflammation; Kynurenine pathway; Neurodegenerative diseases; Psychiatric disorders; Stress