TCA Concentrations in Neuromyelitis Optica Patients (part - II)
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ABSTRACT: Patients with an inflammatory disease of the central nervous system known as neuromyelitis optica (NMO) experience increased levels of depression. These patients have an antibody that recognizes a type of cell in the brain called astrocytes – binding of this antibody to astrocytes triggers a stress response in the cell that results in the development of brain lesions that cause disability and cognitive disturbances. We recently observed a change in the level of glutamate in a part of the brain involved in depression in patients with NMO. Glutamate is a chemical that is used in the brain for communication between neurons – reduced levels of glutamate are thought to trigger depression by reducing neuronal activity in specific circuits. Based on this observation and the known role of astrocytes in maintaining glutamate levels in the brain, we hypothesize that the NMO antibody disturbs metabolic activity in astrocytes and thereby reduces glutamate and triggers depression. We intend to measure TCA concentration in NMO astrocytes. It is our hope that we will not only learn something about the mechanisms of astrocyte dysregulation in neuromyelitis optica, but that we will learn something about the mechanisms of depression in general that may lead to new therapies for this disease.
ORGANISM(S): Human Homo Sapiens
TISSUE(S): Astrocyte Cells
DISEASE(S): Inflammation
SUBMITTER: Charles Howe
PROVIDER: ST001036 | MetabolomicsWorkbench | Mon Aug 13 00:00:00 BST 2018
REPOSITORIES: MetabolomicsWorkbench
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