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Did you know how GAD affects your mood and memory?
Glutamic acid decarboxylase (GAD) is a key enzyme responsible for catalyzing the conversion of glutamic acid into gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), which plays an important role in mood and memory processes. As a major inhibitory neurotransmitter, GABA's function is critical to the health of the nervous system.
In mammals, GAD is divided into two isoforms, GAD65 and GAD67, which are expressed in the brain and work together in different environments to maintain the normal supply of GABA.
The structure and mechanism of GAD
Both isoforms of GAD are homodimeric structures with multiple important domains, including the PLP binding domain and the C-terminal and N-terminal domains. The catalytic process of GAD involves cross-linking with PLP, which is critical to emotional stability. When the structure of GAD changes, it affects the synthesis of GABA, thereby affecting our emotional state.
Studies have shown that dimerization of GAD is critical to maintaining its function, and any mutations that interfere with its normal binding may be related to psychosis, such as schizophrenia.
The relationship between GAD and emotion
Emotional regulation is directly related to GABA levels. When the activity of GAD is insufficient or its expression is inhibited, it will trigger a decrease in GABA levels, which may lead to emotional problems such as anxiety and depression. On the contrary, overactive GAD function may also lead to excessive inhibition and depression.
GAD’s role in memory
During memory formation, GABA is critical for reducing neural excitability and promoting information filtering and encoding. Especially during the process of learning new knowledge, the reduction in GAD expression is thought to lead to deficits in working memory.
A study showed that the expression of GAD67 was significantly reduced in patients with schizophrenia, which is closely related to the decline of memory and cognitive functions.
GAD and brain diseases
Brain diseases such as autism, autoimmune diabetes, and schizophrenia are all related to abnormal expression of GAD. In the brains of patients with autism, the expression of GAD is significantly reduced, further confirming the importance of GAD in emotional and behavioral regulation.
For example, studies on patients with autism have found that the expression of GAD65 and GAD67 is reduced by 30%-50% in the brain cortex and cerebellum.
Future research directions
In-depth research on GAD may reveal more secrets about emotion and memory, especially how to treat mood disorders and other neurological diseases by regulating GAD activity. Scientists look forward to developing new treatments to modulate the function of this key enzyme.
Have you ever considered that your mood swings may be closely related to your GAD activity level?
