Glutamate
Glutamate (Glu) or L-glutamate or L-Glutamic acid is an amino acid and the most common excitory neurotransmitter in the nervous system.[1][2] 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.[3] 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.[4]
Glutamatergic system[edit | edit source]
The glutamateric system has its 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.[5]
Other amino acid neurotransmitters[edit | edit source]
The other amino acids that act as neurotransmitters are GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid), which is a product of glutamate, and glycine (Gly).
Function[edit | edit source]
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[2][6]
- enhancing memory and learning[7]
- glutamate increases when levels of emotional stress increase[3]
- has major roles in metabolism, including nitrogen elimination[8][4]
- glutamate toxicity is linked to a number of neurodegenerative diseases[9]
Excitotoxicity[edit | edit source]
Glutamate can excite neurons to their death, which is known as glutamate excitotoxicity.[6]
ME/CFS[edit | edit source]
Dietary supplements[edit | edit source]
Too much glutamate or too little can be harmful.[6]
See also[edit | edit source]
Learn more[edit | edit source]
- The many roles of glutamate
- Chronic Glutamate Toxicity in Neurodegenerative Diseases—What is the Evidence?
References[edit | edit source]
- ↑ Betts, JG; Young, KA; Wise, JA; Johnson, E; Poe, B; Kruse, DH; Korol, O; Johnson, JE; Womble, M; DeSaix, P (April 23, 2013). "12.5 Communication Between Neurons". Anatomy and Physiology. OpenStax. Houston, Texas. Retrieved October 28, 2021.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Betts, JG; Young, KA; Wise, JA; Johnson, E; Poe, B; Kruse, DH; Korol, O; Johnson, JE; Womble, M; DeSaix, P (April 23, 2013). "14.1 Sensory Perception". Anatomy and Physiology. OpenStax. Houston, Texas. Retrieved October 28, 2021.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 Spielman RM, Jenkins WJ, Lovett MD (April 22, 2020). "8.2 Parts of the Brain Involved with Memory". Psychology 2e. Houston, Texas: OpenStax.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 Cynober, Luc (2018). "Metabolism of Dietary Glutamate in Adults". Annals of Nutrition and Metabolism. 73 (5): 5–14. doi:10.1159/000494776. ISSN 0250-6807. PMID 30508813.
- ↑ Institute of Medicine (US) Forum on Neuroscience and Nervous System Disorders (2011). Overview of the Glutamatergic System. National Academies Press (US).
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 Zhou, Y.; Danbolt, N.C. (2014). "Glutamate as a neurotransmitter in the healthy brain". Journal of Neural Transmission. 121 (8): 799–817. doi:10.1007/s00702-014-1180-8. ISSN 0300-9564. PMC 4133642. PMID 24578174.
- ↑ Spielman RM, Jenkins WJ, Lovett MD (April 22, 2020). "3.2 Cells of the Nervous System". Psychology 2e. Houston, Texas: OpenStax.
- ↑ Walker, Mark C.; van der Donk, Wilfred A. (March 2016). "The Many Roles of Glutamate in Metabolism". Journal of industrial microbiology & biotechnology. 43 (0): 419–430. doi:10.1007/s10295-015-1665-y. ISSN 1367-5435. PMC 4753154. PMID 26323613.
- ↑ Lewerenz, Jan; Maher, Pamela (2015). "Chronic Glutamate Toxicity in Neurodegenerative Diseases—What is the Evidence?". Frontiers in Neuroscience. 9: 469. doi:10.3389/fnins.2015.00469. ISSN 1662-453X. PMC 4679930. PMID 26733784.
