Glutamate
GLU
What it isPrincipal excitatory neurotransmitter, acting at NMDA, AMPA, kainate and metabotropic receptors.
Why this oneEvery glutamatergic drug — ketamine, memantine, perampanel, lamotrigine — is positioned by which part of this system it touches.
What limits itExcitotoxicity from excess glutamate underlies seizure and ischemic injury, which is why blockade is neuroprotective in theory and disappointing in practice.
NO BOXED WARNINGS
Principal riskEndogenous or dietary; no boxed warning applies
Classes and tags
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Self-check
- What injury mechanism follows excess glutamate?
Excitotoxicity. - Name two ionotropic glutamate receptors.
NMDA and AMPA.