Glutamate and GABA

 

Glutamate

Glutamate Synthesis, Release, and Inactivation

Neurons generate glutamate from the precursor glutamine

Glutamate packaging into vesicles and uptake after release are mediated by multiple transport systems

Organization and Function of the Glutamatergic System

Glutamate is the neurotransmitter used in many excitatory pathways in the brain

Both ionotropic and metabotropic receptors mediate the synaptic effects of glutamate

Box 8.1 Clinical Applications Fragile X Syndrome and Metabotropic Glutamate Receptor Antagonists: A Contemporary Saga of Translational Medicine

AMPA and NMDA receptors play a key role in learning and memory

High levels of glutamate can be toxic to nerve cells

GABA

GABA Synthesis, Release, and Inactivation

GABA is synthesized by the enzyme glutamic acid decarboxylase

GABA packaging into vesicles and uptake after release are mediated by specific transporter proteins

GABA is coreleased with several other classical neurotransmitters

Organization and Function of the GABAergic System

Some GABAergic neurons are interneurons, while others are projection neurons

The actions of GABA are primarily mediated by ionotropic GABA_A receptors

Box 8.2 Clinical Applications GABA and Epilepsy

GABA also signals using metabotropic GABA_B receptors