Theanine has a low, micromolar affinity for AMPA & nmda antagonism? Nmda blockade has been linked with memory impairment, schizophrenia, cognitive impairment and synaptic plasticity inhibition. Also, long term depression is linked with lower ampa.
Here ares some qoutes from wiki:
In the regulated pathway, GluR1-containing AMPA receptors are trafficked to the synapse in an activity-dependent manner, stimulated by NMDA receptor activation. Under basal conditions, the regulated pathway is essentially inactive, being transiently activated only upon the induction of long-term potentiation.This pathway is responsible for synaptic strengthening and the initial formation of new memories.
Both GluR1 and GluR2 play an important role in synaptic plasticity. It is now known that the underlying physiological correlate for the increase in EPSP size is a postsynaptic upregulation of AMPARs at the membrane, which is accomplished through the interactions of AMPARs with many cellular proteins.
It inhibits MAPK. MAPK improves synaptic plasticity and memory.
On the flipside, Theanine increases LTP in the ca1 region.
Would homeostasis prevent some of these negative effects?
Edited by michaelh, 30 January 2013 - 10:38 AM.