N-Acetylaspartate

**Semantic type:** Amino Acid, Peptide, or Protein

**Definition:** The acetylated form of aspartic acid synthesized in the mitochondria of neurons from aspartic acid and acetyl-coenzyme A. Although highly concentrated in neurons, the exact biological role of N-acetylaspartate has yet to be identified. N-acetylaspartate can act as a neuronal marker and brain levels are decreased in many neuropathological conditions.

**Synonyms:** - 2-Acetamidobutanedioic Acid - ACETYL ASPARTIC ACID - Acetylaspartatic Acid - N-Acetyl-L-Aspartic Acid - N-Acetylaspartatic Acid - NAA