Tryptophan, neurodegeneration and HIV-associated neurocognitive disorder

Nicholas W S Davies, Gilles Guillemin, Bruce J. Brew*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalReview articlepeer-review

49 Citations (Scopus)
91 Downloads (Pure)

Abstract

This review presents an up-to-date assessment of the role of the tryptophan metabolic and catabolic pathways in neurodegenerative disease and HIV-associated neurocognitive disorder. The kynurenine pathway and the effects of each of its enzymes and products are reviewed. The differential expression of the kynurenine pathway in cells within the brain, including inflammatory cells, is explored given the increasing recognition of the importance of inflammation in neurodegenerative disease. An overview of common mechanisms of neurodegeneration is presented before a review and discussion of the evidence for a pathogenetic role of the kynurenine pathway in Alzheimer's disease, HIV-associated neurocognitive disorder, Huntington's disease, motor neurone disease, and Parkinson's disease.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)121-140
Number of pages20
JournalInternational Journal of Tryptophan Research
Volume3
Issue number1
Publication statusPublished - 2010
Externally publishedYes

Bibliographical note

Copyright the Author(s), publisher and licensee Libertas Academica Ltd. Version archived for private and non-commercial use with the permission of the author/s and according to publisher conditions. For further rights please contact the publisher.

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