Glutamate

Glutamate (Glu) or L-glutamate or L-Glutamic acid is an amino acid and the most common excitory neurotransmitter in the nervous system. Glutamate has a wide range of different functions, and as a result of this glutamate dysfunction can cause very serious effects on disease and injury. Glutamate is regarded as a non-essential amino acid, meaning it can be generated by the body from other amino acids, also it can also be taken as a nutritional supplement.

Glutamatergic system
The glutamateric system has it's own receptors, which are throughout the brain and spinal cord, in neurons (nerve cells)and glia. Glutamate pathways are linked to many other neurotransmitter pathways.

Other amino acid neurotransmitters
The other amino acids that act as neurotransmitters are GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid, which is a product of glutamate, and glycine (Gly).

Function
Glutamate has a range of roles in the human body, including:
 * activating the recognition of savory taste, known as umami, e.g. when food containing monosodium glutamate (MSG, or additive E620) is eaten
 * enhancing memory and learning
 * glutamate increases when levels of emotional stress increase
 * has major roles in metabolism, including nitrogen elimination
 * glutamate toxicity is linked to a number of neurodegenerative diseases

Excitotoxicity
Glutamate can excite neurons to their death, which is known as glutamate excitotoxicity.

Dietary supplements
Too much glutamate or too little can be harmful.

Learn more

 * The many roles of glutamate
 * Chronic Glutamate Toxicity in Neurodegenerative Diseases—What is the Evidence?