The kynurenine pathway as a therapeutic target in cognitive and neurodegenerative disorders

Stone, T. W. and Darlington, L. G. (2013) The kynurenine pathway as a therapeutic target in cognitive and neurodegenerative disorders. British Journal of Pharmacology, 169(6), pp. 1211-1227. (doi: 10.1111/bph.12230)

Abstract

Understanding the neurochemical basis for cognitive function is one of the major goals of neuroscience, with a potential impact on the diagnosis, prevention and treatment of a range of psychiatric and neurological disorders. In this review, the focus will be on a biochemical pathway that remains under-recognised in its implications for brain function, even though it can be responsible for moderating the activity of two neurotransmitters fundamentally involved in cognition – glutamate and acetylcholine. Since this pathway – the kynurenine pathway of tryptophan metabolism - is induced by immunological activation and stress it also stands in an unique position to mediate the effects of environmental factors on cognition and behaviour. Targetting the pathway for new drug development could, therefore, be of value not only for the treatment of existing psychiatric conditions, but also for preventing the development of cognitive disorders in response to environmental pressures.

• Item Type: Articles
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Stone, Professor Trevor
• Authors: Stone, T. W., and Darlington, L. G.
• College/School: College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Psychology & Neuroscience
• Journal Name: British Journal of Pharmacology
• Journal Abbr.: BJP
• Publisher: Wiley
• ISSN: 0007-1188
• ISSN (Online): 1476-5381
• Copyright Holders: Copyright © 2013 Wiley
• First Published: First published in British Journal of Pharmacology 169(6):1211-1227
• Publisher Policy: Reproduced in accordance with the copyright policy of the publisher.