Glutamatergic signaling pathway

The glutamatergic signaling pathway is the primary excitatory neurotransmission system in the vertebrate central nervous system, mediated by the amino acid L-glutamate (StatPearls, 2023). It involves a complex network of ionotropic receptors, including NMDA, AMPA, and kainate receptors, as well as metabotropic G protein-coupled receptors (mGluRs) (NCBI, 2021). This pathway is fundamental to synaptic plasticity, learning, and memory, serving as the basis for long-term potentiation (Nature Reviews Neuroscience, 2015). Dysregulation of glutamate signaling is implicated in numerous neurological and psychiatric disorders, including Alzheimer's disease, epilepsy, and schizophrenia (Molecular Psychiatry, 2012). Excessive glutamate activity can lead to excitotoxicity and neuronal death, which is a hallmark of neurodegenerative diseases (Frontiers in Neuroscience, 2020). Pharmacological intervention in this pathway includes NMDA receptor antagonists like memantine for dementia and ketamine for treatment-resistant depression (Journal of Clinical Psychiatry, 2019). Additionally, AMPA receptor antagonists like perampanel are utilized as anticonvulsants (Epilepsy Research, 2014).

Other names

Glutamate signalingGlutamate neurotransmission systemExcitatory neurotransmission

Modulation of glutamate-mediated excitatory neurotransmission through antagonism or agonism of ionotropic and metabotropic receptors, or inhibition of glutamate release and transport.