Glutamate (neurotransmitter)

Glutamate (neurotransmitter)

Glutamate is the most abundant excitatory neurotransmitter in the vertebrate nervous system. It is involved in a variety of high-level brain functions, including cognition, memory, and learning. Glutamate is also implicated in several neurological and psychiatric conditions.

Biochemistry

Glutamate is synthesized in the brain from the amino acid glutamine via the enzyme glutaminase. This reaction also produces ammonia. Glutamate can be converted back into glutamine via the enzyme glutamine synthetase in a reaction that consumes ammonia.

Function

Glutamate functions as an excitatory neurotransmitter in the nervous system. It binds to and activates both ionotropic glutamate receptors and metabotropic glutamate receptors on the membranes of nerve cells. This binding causes the receptors to change shape and allows ions to flow across the cell membrane, which can trigger an action potential.

Clinical significance

Abnormal levels of glutamate in the brain have been linked to several neurological and psychiatric conditions, including schizophrenia, Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). In particular, excessive glutamate activity can lead to excitotoxicity, which can cause cell death and is thought to play a role in the development of these conditions.

See also

• Neurotransmitter
• Excitatory neurotransmitter
• Glutamate receptor
• Excitotoxicity

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