Our four-year study on adolescent mood and emotion biochemistry completed its first year in March 2002. The study is investigating the impact of essential amino acids and fatty acids on neurological neurotransmitter and neuropeptide functions. The study utilizes plasma amino acid levels taken at four-month intervals and looks at deficiencies and/or excesses of specific amino acids and their impact on ion channel function. We are looking at predictor molecules such as those amino acids which impact conventional transmitter development as in GABA and acetylcholine. We are investigating environmental impacts on developing adolescent brains.

The study examines neurotransmitters and the chemical languages of the brain. Neurotransmitters may be either excitatory or inhibitory, and they have a major impact on ion channels. In each nerve cell there is a need for strict control of the properties and localization of the channels. For example, the glutamate sensitive channels need to be localized at synaptic junctions where glutamate is released from axonal terminals. Transmitters can have two effects at synapses: one is to open or close ionic channels; the other is to trigger a change in the rate of a chemical reaction. Conventional transmitters such as glutamate, GABA or acetylcholine usually act as fast transmitters triggering the opening or closing of a channel and a subsequent change in the electrical potential of the receiving cell.¹ Change in reaction is regulated by enzymatic reactions. This often occurs when there is a co-regulation of conventional and peptide transmitters.