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Involvement of kynurenines in Huntington’s disease and stroke-induced brain damage

  • Basic Neurosciences, Genetics and Immunology - Review article
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Abstract

Several components of the kynurenine pathway of tryptophan metabolism are now recognised to have actions of profound biological importance. These include the ability to modulate the activation of glutamate and nicotinic receptors, to modify the responsiveness of the immune system to inflammation and infection, and to modify the generation and removal of reactive oxygen species. As each of these factors is being recognised increasingly as contributing to major disorders of the central nervous system (CNS), so the potentially fundamental role of the kynurenine pathway in those disorders is presenting a valuable target both for understanding the progress of those disorders and for developing potential drug treatments. This review will summarise some of the evidence for an important contribution of the kynurenines to Huntington’s disease and to stroke damage in the CNS. Together with preliminary evidence from a study of kynurenine metabolites after major surgery, an important conclusion is that kynurenine pathway activation closely reflects cognitive function, and may play a significant role in cognitive ability.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute of Neuroscience and Psychology, West Medical Building, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, G12 8QQ, UK

    Trevor W. Stone & Caroline M. Forrest

  2. Royal Hospital for Neuro-disability, West Hill, Putney, London, SW15 3SW, UK

    Nicholas Stoy

  3. Department of Medicine, Ashtead Hospital, Ashtead, Surrey, KT21 2SB, UK

    L. Gail Darlington

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  1. Trevor W. Stone
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  2. Caroline M. Forrest
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  3. Nicholas Stoy
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  4. L. Gail Darlington
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Correspondence to Trevor W. Stone.

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Stone, T.W., Forrest, C.M., Stoy, N. et al. Involvement of kynurenines in Huntington’s disease and stroke-induced brain damage. J Neural Transm 119, 261–274 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00702-011-0676-8

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