What is the Origin of Glutamatergic Neurotransmission?

The concept is a core element of neurobiology, arising from the identification of glutamate as the most abundant excitatory amino acid in the brain. The term combines the neurotransmitter, glutamate, with the process of signal transmission across the synapse. Research in the mid-20th century established the crucial role of glutamate receptors, particularly the NMDA and AMPA subtypes, in mediating fast synaptic signaling and synaptic plasticity.

What is the Mechanism of Glutamatergic Neurotransmission?

The mechanism begins with the presynaptic release of glutamate into the synaptic cleft following an action potential. Glutamate then rapidly diffuses and binds to specific postsynaptic receptors, primarily the ionotropic AMPA and NMDA receptors, causing an influx of positive ions that depolarizes the postsynaptic neuron. This rapid excitatory signal facilitates the firing of the receiving neuron, and the sustained, activity-dependent activation of NMDA receptors is a key molecular mechanism underlying long-term potentiation, the cellular basis for learning and memory.

Glutamatergic Neurotransmission

Meaning

Glutamatergic Neurotransmission is the process of chemical signaling between neurons that employs glutamate, which is the principal excitatory neurotransmitter throughout the central nervous system. This form of rapid synaptic communication is fundamentally responsible for driving the majority of information processing in the brain. The proper function of this system is essential for higher-order cognitive processes, including learning, memory formation, and motor control.