kainic acid

Kainic acid is a naturally occurring, non-proteinogenic L-alpha-amino acid derived from the red alga Digenea simplex. It acts as a potent excitatory amino acid agonist, primarily targeting ionotropic glutamate receptors—specifically as a selective agonist at kainate receptors and as a partial agonist at AMPA receptors. By activating these glutamate receptor subtypes, kainic acid induces strong excitatory postsynaptic potentials (EPSPs) in neurons. In research settings, it is widely used to model epilepsy and study neurodegeneration due to its ability to induce seizures and excitotoxic neuronal death when administered in high concentrations. Kainic acid has also been used experimentally as an antinematodal agent[1][2][3][5][7].

Brand names

Helminal

Other names

DigeninDigenic acidKainate(-)-α-Kainic Acid