History of Zinc as Related to Brain Function

Abstract

Zinc (Zn) is essential for synthesis of coenzymes that mediate biogenic-amine synthesis and metabolism. Zn from vesicles in presynaptic terminals of certain glutaminergic neurons modulates postsynaptic N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptors for glutamate. Large amounts of Zn released from vesicles by seizures or ischemia can kill postsynaptic neurons. Acute Zn deficiency impairs brain function of experimental animals and humans. Zn deficiency in experimental animals during early brain development causes malformations, whereas deficiency later in brain development causes microscopic abnormalities and impairs subsequent function. A limited number of studies suggest that similar phenomena can occur in humans.

Seasonal variation of nutrient intake in pregnancy: effects on infant measures and possible influence on diseases related to season of birth

“…Selenoproteins play an important role removing lipid peroxidation products and regenerating ascorbic acid (Rayman, 2002). Although zinc containing enzymes help prevent excessive cellular oxidative damage as well, they also modulate the activity of glutamate and g-aminobutyric acid receptors in neurotransmission and are important in protein and nucleic acid synthesis (Sandstead et al, 2000). Only a short deficit period in pregnant rats has been shown to increase apoptosis in the neural crest wall in the embryo (Ashworth and Antipatis, 2001), whereas zinc deficiency in suckling rats has also been shown to depress myelination (Dreosti, 1993).…”

Low intracellular zinc induces oxidative DNA damage, disrupts p53, NFκB, and AP1 DNA binding, and affects DNA repair in a rat glioma cell line

“…The brain is highly sensitive to oxidative stress, and zinc deficiency has been linked to abnormalities in brain function. Zinc deficiency impairs cognitive function in experimental animals and humans (20)(21)(22)(23). Zinc deficiency during early brain development causes malformations, and deficiency later in development causes microscopic abnormalities and also impairs function (24).…”

Anxiolytic-like activity of zinc in rodent tests

“…They regulate the function of numerous structural, transcriptional and enzymatic proteins that play important roles in brain function [4,7,22]. A substantial fraction of zinc ions is located inside synaptic vesicles of glutamatergic terminals and is released in a calcium-dependent manner [1].…”

“…The highest levels of zinc in the central nervous system (CNS) are present in areas known to be important in depression and anxiety, including the cerebral cortical regions, the hippocampus, most amygdaloid nuclei and the lateral septum [4]. Zinc deprivation influences brain zinc homeostasis and leads to alteration in behavior, learning, mental function and susceptibility to epileptic convulsions [22,30]. Several studies have indicated that zinc is in-volved in the pathophysiology of depression and in the mechanism of action of antidepressants [5,11,12,16].…”