Kynurenine pathway

The kynurenine pathway or tryptophan kynurenine pathway is the primary route for metabolizing the essential amino acid tryptophan in humans and other mammals in order to generate cellular energy in the form of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+). If the kynurenine pathway becomes dysregulated or overactive, it can activate the immune system and result in a build-up of potentially neurotoxic compounds in the body.

ME/CFS
The metabolic trap hypothesis suggests that a metabolic problem exists in one or more areas of a person with ME/CFS, with a defect in the IDO2 enzyme of the tryptophan kynurenine pathway being identified as a possible metabolic trap.

Learn more

 * What is the tryptophan kynurenine pathway and why is it important to neurotherapeutics?
 * Indoleamine 2,3-Dioxygenase and Tolerance: Where Are We Now?