Nitric oxide in neurodegeneration.

Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 1999. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.

Nitric oxide in neurodegeneration.

Prog Brain Res. 1998;118:215-29. Unique Identifier : AIDSLINE MED/99131236
Dawson VL; Dawson TM; Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins University School of; Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA. vdawson@orion.bs.jhmi.edu

Abstract: Nitric oxide (NO) is a unique biological messenger molecule which mediates diverse physiologic roles. NO mediates blood vessel relaxation by endothelium, immune activity of macrophages and neurotransmission of central and peripheral neurons. NO is produced from three NO Synthase (NOS) isoforms: Neuronal NOS (nNOS), endothelial NOS, and inducible NOS (iNOS). In the central nervous system, NO may play important roles in neurotransmitter release, neurotransmitter reuptake, neurodevelopment, synaptic plasticity, and regulation of gene expression. However, excessive production of NO following a pathologic insult can lead to neurotoxicity. NO plays a role in mediating neurotoxicity associated with a variety of neurologic disorders, including stroke, Parkinson's Disease, and HIV dementia.

Keywords: JOURNAL ARTICLE REVIEW REVIEW, TUTORIAL Animal AIDS Dementia Complex/METABOLISM Cerebrovascular Disorders/METABOLISM Human Neurodegenerative Diseases/*METABOLISM Neurons/PHYSIOLOGY Nitrates/TOXICITY Nitric Oxide/*METABOLISM/*PHYSIOLOGY Nitric-Oxide Synthase/PHYSIOLOGY Parkinson Disease/METABOLISM Support, Non-U.S. Gov't Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.
990630
A9960688

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