Endogenous zinc in neurological diseases

Area of Science:

• Neurobiology
• Biochemistry
• Pharmacology

Background:

• Zinc has a long history of medicinal use, dating back to ancient Egypt.
• Despite its historical use, zinc is a recent addition to the study of biological signal ions.
• The significance of zinc in biological functions and health is increasingly recognized.

Purpose of the Study:

• To summarize the neurobiological roles of endogenous zinc.
• To highlight the emerging importance of zinc in biology and medicine.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of historical and modern scientific data.
• Analysis of emerging research on zinc's biological functions.

Main Results:

• Zinc's historical applications in medicine are well-documented.
• Zinc is identified as a critical signal ion in biological systems.
• Numerous biological functions, health implications, and therapeutic targets for zinc are being discovered.

Conclusions:

• Zinc's role as a signal ion in neurobiology is significant and warrants further investigation.
• Zinc may become as crucial as calcium in 21st-century medicine and biology.