Glycine is the simplest amino acid and a fundamental neurotransmitter in the central nervous system (CNS). Its activity is mainly inhibitory in caudal regions of CNS, but it also has a co-agonist role at a specific subtype of glutamate receptors present throughout the CNS. Extracellular glycine levels are regulated by two types of transporters, called […]
29 posts found
Neuropaediatric diseases and synapsis
First case of hyperglycinemia due to a glycine transporter dysfunction
Glycine is one of the 20 amino acids that constitute the structure of proteins. In addition to that, glycine takes an active part in the synthesis of other molecules such as serine, heme, purine, creatine, and glutathione. Also, it acts as an inhibitory neurotransmitter in the central nervous system (CNS). Two main control systems regulate […]
Does a relation exist between brain GABA levels and psychiatric disorders?
Gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) plays a key role in many physiological processes of brain. It is present in one third of synapses in the central nervous system, and modulates neurotransmission via GABAergic interneurons. Although the involvement of GABA in psychiatric disorders is well-known, understanding its role in their etiology is very difficult. In order to achieve […]
Rett syndrome: loss of balance between excitation and inhibition
Rett syndrome (RTT) is a rare neurodevelopmental disease. Mutations in MECP2 (located on the X chromosome) are the most common cause. However, mutations in other genes such as CDKL5 and FOXG1 have been reported to produce a Rett-like phenotype. How these different genetic defects determine similar clinical features has yet to be elucidated. Italian researchers […]
Sphingolipids and brain, when friends become foes
Lipids constitute approximately half of the dry weight of the brain, their composition and quantity can vary throughout life and generic defects in their synthesis or metabolism can lead to impaired brain development and neurodegenerative disorders, both in children and adults. However, we do not know everything about lipids and it is not surprising that […]
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