1. Within the brain, quinolinic acid is only produced by activated microglia and macrophages. 2. When inflammation occurs, quinolinic acid is produced in excessive levels through the kynurenine pathway. 3. Quinolinic acid has also been found in HAND patients brains.4. Microglia and macrophages produce the vast majority of quinolinic acid present in the body. 5. In this way, quinolinic acid self-potentiates its own toxicity. 6. A third abused child in the sample did not have elevated levels of quinolinic acid . 7. Quinolinic acid is also the bioprecursor of NAD +.8. Researchers utilize quinolinic acid in order to study Huntington s disease in many model organisms. 9. Similar to HIV patients, this increased quinolinic acid concentration correlates with cognitive and motor dysfunction. 10. Quinolinic acid 's neuroactive and excitatory properties are a result of NMDA receptor agonism in the brain.
