What is "quinolinic acid"

n. (context organic compound English) pyridine-2,3-dicarboxylic acid, which may be prepared by the oxidation of quinoline.

Quinolinic acid (abbreviated QUIN or QA), also known as pyridine-2,3-dicarboxylic acid, is a di carboxylic acid with a pyridine backbone. It is a colorless solid. It is the biosynthetic precursor to nicotine.

Quinolinic acid is a downstream product of the kynurenine pathway, which metabolizes the amino acid tryptophan. It acts as an NMDA receptor agonist.

Quinolinic acid has a potent neurotoxic effect. Studies have demonstrated that quinolinic acid may be involved in many psychiatric disorders, neurodegenerative processes in the brain, as well as other disorders. Within the brain, quinolinic acid is only produced by activated microglia and macrophages.