Low-dose mixtures of dietary nutrients ameliorate behavioral deficits in multiple mouse models of autism
Fig 1
Zinc, Ser, and BCAA act in concert to regulate synaptic signaling and the synaptic response.
Zinc is highly concentrated at synaptic vesicles and is co-released with glutamate. At the postsynaptic site, zinc induces condensate formation of the postsynaptic proteins and maintains dendritic spine morphology. Synaptic stimulation via the action of glutamate and D-Ser on ion channels activates downstream signaling and promotes protein synthesis, which is required for the long-term synaptic response and synaptic remodeling. BCAA enhances protein synthesis via activation of the mTOR pathway.