Significance of Taurine in the Brain

Adv Exp Med Biol. 2017:975 Pt 1:89-94. doi: 10.1007/978-94-024-1079-2_8.

Abstract

Two main functions of taurine in the brain are here discussed: the role of taurine in cell volume regulation and the neuromodulatory actions of taurine liberated by depolarization. Taurine takes part in cell volume regulation with other small-molecular compounds. Extracellular taurine inhibits neuronal firing through GABA and glycine receptors. However, the existence of specific taurine receptors is still not excluded.

Keywords: Brain; Cell volume regulation; Development; Neuromodulation; Release.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Brain / embryology
  • Brain / growth & development
  • Brain / metabolism*
  • Humans
  • Neurogenesis / physiology*
  • Taurine / metabolism*

Substances

  • Taurine