Role of the Kynurenine System in Neurological Disorders
A special issue of Life (ISSN 2075-1729). This special issue belongs to the section "Physiology and Pathology".
Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 March 2026) | Viewed by 2472
Special Issue Editors
Interests: kynurenine pathway; endocannabinoid system; migraine
Special Issue Information
Dear Colleagues,
The kynurenine system is a metabolic pathway that breaks down the amino acid tryptophan into several bioactive compounds, including kynurenine and its metabolites. This pathway plays a critical role in regulating immune responses, neuroinflammation, and neurotransmitter balance in the brain. Recent research has highlighted the significance of the kynurenine system in neurological disorders, particularly due to the production of neurotoxic and neuroprotective metabolites. Key metabolites such as quinolinic acid (QUIN) and kynurenic acid (KYNA) are of particular interest. QUIN is excitotoxic, meaning that it overstimulates neurons and can lead to neuronal damage and death, which is implicated in disorders like Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, and multiple sclerosis. KYNA, on the other hand, acts as a neuroprotectant by blocking excitatory neurotransmitters like glutamate, potentially offering a protective role against neurodegeneration. In neuroinflammatory diseases, an imbalance between these metabolites contributes to disease progression. Chronic activation of the immune system, as seen in neurodegenerative disorders, increases the production of QUIN, leading to further neuronal damage. This shift towards neurotoxic metabolite production has been implicated in conditions such as depression, schizophrenia, and Huntington’s disease. Understanding the regulation of the kynurenine pathway and its role in the central nervous system provides a promising avenue for developing novel therapeutic strategies targeting neuroinflammation and neurodegeneration. Modulating this pathway may help restore balance and prevent further neurological damage.
Dr. Gábor Nagy-Grócz
Dr. Tamás Körtési
Guest Editors
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Keywords
- kynurenine pathway
- neurological disorders
- kynurenic acid
- quinolinic acid
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