GABA - gamma amino butyric acid or 4 amino butanoic acid, they're all the same name for this neuro-transmitter.
In addition, here's a compound that helps you learn the difference between aspartic and glutamic acid. When aspartic acid or glutamic acid are aminated, they become aspartamine or glutamine respectively. But, when glutamine is decarboxylated in the brain, it becomes 4 amino butanoic acid (remember butanoic acid is a four carbon acid). So now you know that glutamic acid, the precursor was a five carbon amino acid and that the other (aspartic acid) must have a four carbon skeleton.
The brain is particularly rich in glutamic acid, glutamine and GABA. As the early researchers unraveled the mystery of nerve transmission they rightly surmised that the mono-amines had an important role. Mother Nature never throws anything away. The evolution of amines as regulators of cell/tissue bioactions required that a ready source of these substances be available, and amino acids derived from proteins meant that it was not necessary to synthesize the core structures, only a simple decarboxylation results in the bioactive material.
Just one more reason to eat a balanced diet. One with a heavy dose of animal proteins that ensures that all the necessary amino acids are available at the beck and call of active metabolism. Could it be that the reason that test scores of children in the United States are declining is because, parents in their desire to grab the latest fad in nutrition and health are depriving their children of an adequate diet of amino acids?
Meals heavy in pasta, vegetables, pulses and sugar; and low in fats, cholesterol, salt and animal proteins are a far cry from our earlier diets. Perhaps the current trend in diets is good for aging adults, but are they adequate (or surplus) for the growing and developing infant? This experiment in nutrition will be played out to its conclusion in about another 50 - 75 years. Are we willing to wait that long to decide that all the gurus were wrong and we have produced a generation of defective children in the interest of the faddist of today?
Think about this. The stature of the Japanese, Chinese, &c., has increased substantially since they improved their intake of proteins. At the same time the Indian/Pakistanis has changed but little, because they haven't had the same opportunities of improved diet. And, the Oriental's educational test scores, have topped the list in achievements. Additional, Japanese Americans are awesome competitors in all walks of life, as they have benefitted from good nutrition here at home. At the same time, white and black Americans are overweight, plagued with heath disorders and are the ones whose test scores are in decline. Perhaps we have been too quick to blame the educational system for failing the students. It's our diet of pizza and soft drinks with a good supply of snacks that are damming our bodies to meritocracy. Just another thing to worry about while you and the kids are snacking.
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