Glutamate neuro transmission

Glutamate is a major excitatory neurotransmitter in the central nervous system. Theoretically, increased glutamater-gic neuro transmission may lead to excitatory neurotoxicity or exci to toxicity. The only two currently approved neuroprotective agents in the United States, riluzole for ALS and memantine for AD, may act to prevent glutamatergic excitotoxicity. 

Snyder, S.H. Wolosker, H. Blackshaw, S. Serine racemase a glial enzyme synthesizing D-serine to regulate glutamate-V-methyl-D-aspartate neuro-transmission. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 1999, 96, 13,409-13,414. 

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