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Study · Animal study (in vivo) · helix pomatia · 2026

2 results

Biochemical and Pharmacological Studies on Kynurenic Acid Metabolism in the Helix pomatia-Snail Model of Learning and Memory.

Baran H, Kronsteiner C

Biomolecules18 Apr 2026

PMID42072724 (opens in a new tab)PMCIDPMC13115359 (opens in a new tab)DOI10.3390/biom16040603 (opens in a new tab)PepBankPUB-42072724
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Summary

Kynurenic acid (KYNA), a metabolite of the L-kynurenine pathway of L-tryptophan degradation, is an endogenous blocker of glutamate ionotropic excitatory amino acid (EAA) receptors and nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs). KYNA plays a significant role in various neuropsychiatric disorders and the aging process. Some researchers have suggested that KYNA may contribute to memory impairment. In this study, we examined the impact of L-kynurenine (a KYNA substrate) and the anti-dementia drugs D-cycloserine and Cerebrolysin on kynurenine aminotransferase (KAT) activity, an enzyme forming KYNA, in liver homogenates of Helix pomatia snails. Furthermore, a memory model was established using these snails, wherein tentacle shortening served as an indicator of learning activity. In vitro experiments on Helix pomatia demonstrated the significant impact of L-kynurenine and anti-dementia drugs on KYNA synthesis. KYNA levels increased significantly in the presence of L-kynurenine in liver homogenate. However, KYNA formation decreased when anti-dementia drugs, including Cerebrolysin or D-cycloserine, were administered to the snails' liver homogenate. L-kynurenine has been shown to impair the learning process in vivo in snails, but an anti-dementia drug has been demonstrated to reverse this effect. Significant inhibition of tentacle lowering was observed in response to L-kynurenine treatment, which corresponded with elevated KYNA levels in the central nervous system. Administering D-cycloserine or Cerebrolysin alongside L-kynurenine reversed its effects. The Helix pomatia memory model is a valuable tool for studying learning and memory formation in various conditions and in the presence of different pharmacological agents. A drug or natural extract that blocks KYNA synthesis has the ability to increase tentacle lowering and could be considered an anti-dementia agent. Furthermore, this metabolite may also protect against aging and delay damage to the central nervous system related to memory.
CC BYText from Europe PMC. Highlighted sentences are the source of results.

Results from this study2

2 results from studies that gave the peptide. No result from this study comes from people.

  1. 01AnimalAnimal study (in vivo)Efficacy outcome

    In snails, Cerebrolysin reversed the effects of L-kynurenine on tentacle lowering.

    In plain wordsIn snails, Cerebrolysin reversed the effects of L-kynurenine on tentacle lowering.

    Peptide
    Cerebrolysin
    Outcome
    DecreaseTentacle lowering inhibition
    Study

    Helix pomatian: not reported in source

    L-kynurenine learning impairment
    Outcome group
    Cognition and memory · Nervous system and cognition
    Studied dose
    Dose not stated

    Source sentences

    Summary
    Administering D-cycloserine or Cerebrolysin alongside L-kynurenine reversed its effects.
    1 context sentence
    Summary · context
    Significant inhibition of tentacle lowering was observed in response to L-kynurenine treatment, which corresponded with elevated KYNA levels in the central nervous system.
  2. 02LabEx vivo tissueMechanism

    In snail liver homogenates, Cerebrolysin decreased KYNA formation.

    In plain wordsIn lab tests with snail liver homogenates, Cerebrolysin decreased KYNA formation.

    Peptide
    Cerebrolysin
    Outcome
    DecreaseKYNA formation
    Study

    Helix pomatian: not reported in source

    Snail liver homogenate
    Outcome group
    Receptor activity and mechanism · Nervous system and cognition
    Studied dose
    Dose not stated

    Source sentences

    Summary
    However, KYNA formation decreased when anti-dementia drugs, including Cerebrolysin or D-cycloserine, were administered to the snails' liver homogenate.

AI wrote and checked these results. AI can make mistakes, so check important results against the source.

Version history

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  1. Version 2Current

    14 Oct 2026, 05:02 UTC

    Study results updated

  2. Version 1

    14 Oct 2026, 01:46 UTC

    First added · source update from Europe PMC

Subjects

Terms as the source lists them.

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