How Do You Spell KAINIC ACID?

Pronunciation: [kˈa͡ɪnɪk ˈasɪd] (IPA)

Kainic Acid is a naturally occurring glutamate analogue found in seaweed. The word is pronounced [keɪnɪk ˈæsɪd] in IPA phonetic transcription. The first syllable "Kain" is pronounced with a long 'a' sound, followed by the second syllable with a short 'i' sound. The stress falls on the first syllable, reflecting its origin from a Japanese word. The spelling of the word reflects its origin from the Japanese seaweed extract kainin, which was the precursor of kainic acid. Today, it is a vital tool in neuroscience research, used to induce seizures in experimental models.

KAINIC ACID Meaning and Definition

1. Kainic Acid is a naturally occurring chemical compound that belongs to the class of compounds known as glutamate analogs. It is found in certain species of seaweed and in a few species of algae. Kainic Acid is a potent neuroexcitatory substance that acts primarily on the central nervous system.

   In the field of neuropharmacology, Kainic Acid is widely used as a research tool to study the mechanisms of neurodegenerative and neurological disorders. When administered orally or through injection, it selectively binds to and activates specific receptors called kainate receptors. These receptors are found abundantly in regions of the brain associated with learning and memory, such as the hippocampus.

   The activation of kainate receptors by Kainic Acid leads to an influx of calcium ions into the neurons, resulting in an excitotoxic effect. This excessive activation eventually leads to neuronal damage and death. Therefore, Kainic Acid has been extensively used in studies related to epilepsy, neurotoxicity, and neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's and Parkinson's.

   Despite its potential as a research tool, Kainic Acid is known for inducing seizures when administered in high doses. Seizures caused by Kainic Acid resemble temporal lobe epilepsy, making it a useful model for studying seizure disorders.

   Furthermore, Kainic Acid has also been investigated for its potential therapeutic applications. Scientists have studied its derivatives and analogs as potential treatments for neurological disorders, although its use in clinical settings is still limited.

Common Misspellings for KAINIC ACID

• jainic acid
• mainic acid
• lainic acid
• oainic acid
• iainic acid
• kzinic acid
• ksinic acid
• kwinic acid
• kqinic acid
• kaunic acid
• kajnic acid
• kaknic acid
• kaonic acid
• ka9nic acid
• ka8nic acid
• kaibic acid
• kaimic acid
• kaijic acid
• kaihic acid
• kainuc acid

Etymology of KAINIC ACID

The word "Kainic Acid" is derived from the plant species "Dendropanax arboreus var. caudatus" also known as "Kainai". The acid itself is a naturally occurring neuroexcitatory substance found in this plant.