Oxalyldiaminopropionic Acid (ODAP)

Oxalyldiaminopropionic acid (ODAP) is a structural analogue of the neurotransmitter glutamate found in the grass pea Lathyrus sativus. It is the neurotoxin responsible for the motor neuron degeneration syndrome neurolathyrism. ODAP is an agonist of the ionotropic AMPA glutamate receptor. It is known to cause neurolathyrism in humans, a motor neuron degenerative disease characterized by degeneration of pyramidal-tract neurons in the spinal cord and in the area of the cortex controlling the legs, resulting in lower-body paralysis. There is not one direct explanation as to how ODAP causes neurolathyrism, however there has been evidence to support a few biological effects. One reason why the mechanism of action is not entirely clear may be because as of yet, a good animal model for the effect of ODAP in humans has not been found. The LD50 is also unknown.