Glutamate-Mediated Energy Status of Degenerating Neurons

4 Glutamate-Mediated Energy Status of Degenerating Neurons 

Treatment of neuronal cultures with glutamate is accompanied by the loss of neuronal viability, reduced neuronal energy state (ATP level and mitochondrial membrane potential), and increased cytoplasmic mitochondrial Ca2+. This decrease in ATP results in failure of ionic pumps and increase in extracellular K+. These processes cause neuronal depolarization and release of glutamate, which over-stimulates NMDA receptors. The NMDA antagonist MK-801 

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