Glutamatergic synaptic transmission

Glutamatergic synaptic transmission is the primary excitatory signaling mechanism in the vertebrate central nervous system, mediated by the neurotransmitter glutamate (NIH, 2011). It involves the release of glutamate from presynaptic vesicles into the synaptic cleft, where it binds to and activates various postsynaptic receptors, including ionotropic (NMDA, AMPA, and kainate) and metabotropic (mGluR) receptors (NIH, 2023). This process is critical for fundamental brain functions such as synaptic plasticity, learning, and memory (Semanticscholar, 2023). Dysregulation of glutamatergic transmission, leading to either excessive activation (excitotoxicity) or insufficient signaling, is implicated in a wide range of neurological and psychiatric disorders, including Alzheimer's disease, epilepsy, and schizophrenia (NIH, 2011; Abcam, 2023). Consequently, components of this pathway are major targets for therapeutic intervention, with drugs designed to modulate receptor activity or glutamate homeostasis (NIH, 2022).

Other names

Glutamatergic signalingGlutamate neurotransmissionGlutamatergic systemExcitatory synaptic transmission

Modulation of ionotropic (NMDA, AMPA, Kainate) and metabotropic (mGluR) glutamate receptors, inhibition of glutamate release, or enhancement of glutamate reuptake via transporters (NIH, 2011; NIH, 2022).