Excitatory amino acids structure-activity relations

Excitatory amino acids Ibotenic acid is structurally related to glutamate, the principal excitatory neurotransmitter, and it activates NMDA receptors (Madsen et al. 1990 Mayer and Westbrook 1987 Schwarcz et al. 1979 Honore et al. 1981). 

Structure-activity relations of excitatory amino acids on frog and rat spinal neurones. Br J Pharmacol 58,... 

Two different methods have been used to determine the structure-activity relations of the neurotoxic action of the excitatory amino acids. With the first, the amino acids are administered by peripheral injection, which produces neuronal damage in areas of the brain to which the excitotoxins gain access. The second approach involves direct intracranial injection with analysis of the affected area to determine the scope and specificity of the lesion. While the latter method allows for more precise definition of toxic potencies and avoids variables such as metabolism and penetration of the blood-brain barrier, the systemic administration of these compounds was exploited first and continues to be used. 

Structure-activity relations of the neurotoxic action of excitatory amino acids and their analogs have also been carried out in the rat striatum with direct injection of the substances (Table 5). In these studies, neurotoxicity has been monitored both by histologic analysis of Nissl-stained sections as well as by quantitative neurochemistry (Schwarcz et al., 1978 > ... 

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