The interaction of β‐N‐methylamino‐L‐alanine with bicarbonate: an 1H‐NMR study

Abstract
The mode of action of the neurotoxic, non‐protein amino acid β‐N‐methylamino‐L‐alanine (L‐BMAA) is unknown. We have shown, using 1H‐NMR spectroscopy, that L‐BMAA forms a stable adduct with bicarbonate (probably a carbamate). The properties of this adduct may explain the observation that L‐BMAA and N‐methyl‐D‐aspartic acid appear to act at the same central nervous system receptors.