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Changes in Central Nervous System Free Amino Acids with Development and Aging

1973; Elsevier BV; Linguagem: Inglês

10.1016/s0079-6123(08)60693-7

1875-7855

P.S. Timiras, D. B. Hudson, S. Oklund,

Biochemical effects in animals

This chapter focuses on the changes in central nervous system free amino acids with development and aging. It is well known that amino acids play an important role in regulating the functions of the central nervous system (CNS). These amino acids are not only involved in intermediary metabolism but also participate in protein synthesis and control the rate of the tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle. The observation that the concentration of alanine increases in old animals in parallel with a decrease in aspartic acid is also suggestive of functional imbalances occurring with age on the basis of the purported role of alanine as an inhibitory neurotransmitter and aspartic acid as an excitatory neurotransmitter. More importantly, one should consider the role of free amino acids in brain metabolism, generally, to effectively explain the functional significance of their high concentration, particularly those of the glutamate group, throughout the CNS. Amino acids are compartmentalized or distributed in various metabolic pools; however, physiological function depends upon their activity levels in specific compartments-activity that is regulated by enzymes.