Beta-N-methylamino-L-alanine

Beta-N-methylamino-L-alanine (BMAA) is a non-proteinogenic amino acid produced by cyanobacteria. It is a neurotoxin and its potential role in various neurodegenerative disorders is the subject of scientific research.

Overview

Beta-N-methylamino-L-alanine (BMAA) is a non-protein amino acid that is produced by almost all species of cyanobacteria. Cyanobacteria are a phylum of bacteria that obtain their energy through photosynthesis. They are often referred to as blue-green algae and are found in almost all terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems.

Neurotoxicity

BMAA is a known neurotoxin and has been implicated in several neurodegenerative diseases, including Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), Alzheimer's disease, and an unusual syndrome known as Guam disease. This syndrome, which includes features of ALS, Alzheimer's disease, and Parkinson's disease, was observed among the indigenous Chamorro people of Guam and was linked to their consumption of the seed of the cycad tree, which harbors BMAA-producing cyanobacteria.

Bioaccumulation

BMAA can bioaccumulate in the environment and in the food chain. It has been detected in aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems around the world, raising concerns about its potential impact on global public health.

Research

Research into the potential effects of BMAA on human health is ongoing. Some studies suggest that chronic dietary exposure to BMAA can trigger neurodegenerative changes, while others have found no such link. The exact mechanisms by which BMAA might cause neurodegeneration are also still under investigation.

See also

• Cyanotoxin
• Neurodegenerative disease
• Bioaccumulation