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Acetyl-L-carnitine physical-chemical, metabolic, and therapeutic properties: relevance for its mode of action in Alzheimer's disease and geriatric depression

Molecular Psychiatry volume 5, pages 616–632 (2000)Cite this article

Abstract

Acetyl-L-carnitine (ALCAR) contains carnitine and acetyl moieties, both of which have neurobiological properties. Carnitine is important in the β-oxidation of fatty acids and the acetyl moiety can be used to maintain acetyl-CoA levels. Other reported neurobiological effects of ALCAR include modulation of: (1) brain energy and phospholipid metabolism; (2) cellular macromolecules, including neurotrophic factors and neurohormones; (3) synaptic morphology; and (4) synaptic transmission of multiple neurotransmitters. Potential molecular mechanisms of ALCAR activity include: (1) acetylation of -NH2 and -OH functional groups in amino acids and N terminal amino acids in peptides and proteins resulting in modification of their structure, dynamics, function and turnover; and (2) acting as a molecular chaperone to larger molecules resulting in a change in the structure, molecular dynamics, and function of the larger molecule. ALCAR is reported in double-blind controlled studies to have beneficial effects in major depressive disorders and Alzheimer's disease (AD), both of which are highly prevalent in the geriatric population.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Psychiatry, Neurophysics Laboratory, School of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA

    J W Pettegrew, J Levine & R J McClure

  2. Beersheva Mental Health Center, Faculty of Health Sciences, Ben Gurion University of the Negev, Beersheva, Israel

    J Levine

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  1. J W Pettegrew
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Correspondence to J W Pettegrew.

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Pettegrew, J., Levine, J. & McClure, R. Acetyl-L-carnitine physical-chemical, metabolic, and therapeutic properties: relevance for its mode of action in Alzheimer's disease and geriatric depression. Mol Psychiatry 5, 616–632 (2000). https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.mp.4000805

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Keywords

  • Alzheimer's disease
  • geriatric depression
  • acetyl-L-carnitine
  • lipid metabolism
  • energy metabolism
  • membrane
  • acetylation

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