Modulation of Brain Kynurenic Acid by N-Acetylcysteine Prevents Cognitive Impairment and Muscular Weakness Induced by Cisplatin in Female Rats.

Cisplatin (CIS) is a potent chemotherapeutic agent primarily used to treat hematologic malignancies and solid tumors, including lymphomas, sarcomas, and some carcinomas. Patients receiving this treatment for tumors outside the nervous system develop cognitive impairment. Alterations in the kynurenine pathway (KP) following CIS treatment suggest that certain KP metabolites may cross the blood-brain barrier, leading to increased production of the neuromodulator kynurenic acid (KYNA), which is associated with cognitive impairment.