BIOCHEMICAL CHARACTERIZATION OF β‐N‐OXALYL‐ l ‐α,β‐DIAMINOPROPIONIC ACID, THE LATHYRUS SATIVUS NEUROTOXIN AS AN EXCITANT AMINO ACID

Abstract— β‐N‐Oxalyl‐l‐α,β‐diaminopropionic acid (ODAP), the toxin isolated from the seeds of Luthyrus sativus produces head retraction, tremors and convulsions when injected into a variety of experimental animals. In 12‐day‐old rats, it has been found that the convulsive behaviour is accompanied by profound biochemical changes in the brain. The brain homogenates prepared from ODAP injected animals show a higher rate of respiration. There is a decrease in the brain glucose, glycogen, ATP, phosphocreatine and acetylcholine levels of the convulsing animals. The inorganic phosphate, lactic acid and acetylcholineesterase levels increase. These results establish that ODAP is a typical convulsant.