Biopolymers and cell. 1997; 13 (6): 509 - 512

Excitatory amino acids neurotoxicity and diseases of the central nervous system

/. 5. Magura, O. M. Rozhmanova

Excessive activation of excitatory amino acids (EAA) receptors leads to increased intraceltular Ca followed by activation of protein kinases, phosplwlipases, proteases, nitric oxide synthase, Impaired mitochondria! function, the generation of free radical^ and alterations in gene expression. A transient intese influx of Ca may lead to uncontrolled activation of one or more of these potentially lethal processes. Neuronal death subsequent to excessive excitatory amino acids EAA mediated excitation, often reffered to excitotoxicity, stand out as a critical factor common to a variety of neurological disorders range from acute insults, such as stroke, hypoglycemia, trauma and epilepsy, to chronic neurodegenerative states including A/DS-dementia complex, Huntington's disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and Alzheimer's disease. Neurons may become more vulnerable to excitotoxic insult by excessive release or abnormal leakage of the neurotransmitter, impaired uptake, the possession of abnormal excitatory amino acid receptor subtypes, or if cellular energy metabolism is impaired.