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Kynurenine Pathway

All articles tagged with #kynurenine pathway

health12 days ago•6 min saved

How a Workout Can Rewire Your Mood, Molecule by Molecule

Regular exercise improves anxiety and depression symptoms and uplifts mood, with effects visible in both the short and long term. Beyond feel-good stories, exercise boosts brain chemistry: it raises endocannabinoids and endorphins and shifts tryptophan metabolites in the kynurenine pathway toward protective, brain-friendly compounds like kynurenic acid, while potentially lowering harmful quinolinic acid. These immediate and sustained changes have been seen across ages and even in people with metabolic conditions such as type 2 diabetes. While the exact molecular mechanisms are still under study, staying active—including group activities—offers a potent, accessible tool for mental health alongside traditional treatments.

via ScienceAlert|

#exercise #health #kynurenine-pathway

health2 years ago•5 min saved

Unveiling the Hidden Impact of Long COVID: New Findings and Treatment Breakthroughs

Researchers from the University of New South Wales and St. Vincent's Hospital have discovered a key biological pathway, known as the kynurenine pathway, that is activated in people with long COVID and is linked to the cognitive challenges commonly referred to as "brain fog." The study found that patients with prolonged activation of this pathway were more likely to have mild cognitive deficits even 12 months after developing COVID-19. The identification of this pathway could lead to potential treatments for brain fog and provide a diagnostic marker for long COVID. The findings highlight the biological basis behind long COVID's cognitive effects and offer hope for those experiencing long-term symptoms.

via SciTechDaily|

#brain-fog #cognitive-deficits #health

health2 years ago•5 min saved

Unraveling the Link Between Long COVID and Brain Fog

Researchers from UNSW Sydney and St. Vincent’s Hospital have identified a key metabolic pathway, known as the kynurenine pathway, that is activated in people with long COVID experiencing symptoms of brain fog. The study found that individuals with prolonged activation of this pathway were more likely to have mild cognitive deficits even 12 months after developing COVID-19, and these symptoms were less likely to improve over time. The discovery of this biological mechanism opens up possibilities for identifying and treating cognitive effects in long COVID patients, and the kynurenine pathway could serve as a potential diagnostic marker and therapeutic target. Further research is needed to explore potential biomarkers and therapies for long COVID.

via UNSW Newsroom|

#brain-fog #cognitive-deficits #health

neuroscience3 years ago•4 min saved

The Importance of Eye Color Genes for Retinal Health

The Kynurenine pathway, responsible for eye pigment formation, also plays a crucial role in maintaining retinal health under stress conditions, according to a study by researchers from the Max Planck Institute of Molecular Cell Biology and Genetics. The study used Drosophila melanogaster as a model system to unravel the role of individual metabolites in retinal health and found that the balance between toxic and protective metabolites, such as 3-hydroxykynurenine and Kynurenic Acid, respectively, influences the degree of retinal degeneration. The researchers suggest that therapeutic strategies for neurodegenerative conditions should take into account the ratio and location of Kynurenine pathway metabolites.

via Neuroscience News|

#drosophila #genetics #kynurenine-pathway

health3 years ago•3 min saved

The Crucial Role of Eye Color Genes in Retinal Health

A study by researchers from the Max Planck Institute of Molecular Cell Biology and Genetics in Dresden, Germany, has found that genes responsible for eye color pigmentation also play a critical role in maintaining retinal health. The study focused on the kynurenine pathway, a metabolic pathway that regulates various biological processes, and found that the balance between toxic and protective metabolites within the pathway influences the health of the retina. The researchers suggest that therapeutic strategies for neurodegenerative conditions should take into account the ratio of various metabolites and their specific sites of accumulation and activity within the pathway.

via Medical Xpress|

#eye-health #gene-mutations #health