ACETYL-L-CARNITINE AFFECTS AGED BRAIN RECEPTORIAL SYSTEM IN RODENTS

Acetyl-L-carnitine (ALCAR), the acetyl ester of carnitine, is regarded as a compound of considerable interest because of its capacity to cou nteract several physiological and pathological modifications typical o f brain ageing processes. In particular, it has been demonstrated that ALCAR can counteract the age-dependent reduction of several receptors in the central nervous system of rodents, such as the NMDA receptoria l system, the Nerve Growth Factor (NGF) receptors, those of glucocorti coids, neurotransmitters and others, thereby enhancing the efficiency of synaptic transmission, which is considerably slowed down by ageing. The present review thus postulates the importance of ALCAR administra tion in preserving and/or facilitating the functionality of carnitines , the concentrations of which are diminished in the brain of old anima ls.