Glutamate

Glutamate is a crucial amino acid that serves as a building block for proteins and plays a significant role in the body's metabolism. It is also the most abundant excitatory neurotransmitter in the vertebrate nervous system.

Overview

Glutamate is involved in cognitive functions such as learning and memory in the brain. The concentration of glutamate outside of the cells in the nervous system is carefully regulated by the body. Abnormalities in this regulation can lead to neurological disorders such as Alzheimer's disease and Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).

Function

Glutamate functions as an excitatory neurotransmitter in the mammalian central nervous system. It is released from the nerve cells in the brain and binds to glutamate receptors on the surface of nearby nerve cells. This binding opens channels in the cell membrane, allowing positively charged ions to flow into the cell and trigger an electrical signal.

Role in Disease

Excessive amounts of glutamate can lead to excitotoxicity, which can cause cell death and is implicated in a number of neurological disorders. These include Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, multiple sclerosis, Autism, and ALS.

See Also

• Neurotransmitter
• Amino Acid
• Alzheimer's disease
• Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
• Parkinson's disease
• Autism

References

Glutamate Resources
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