Glutamatergní

Glutamatergic, sometimes rendered as glutamatergní in certain languages, describes anything related to glutamate as the primary excitatory neurotransmitter in the central nervous system. The glutamatergic system mediates the majority of fast synaptic transmission in the brain and spinal cord and plays a central role in synaptic plasticity, learning, and memory.

Glutamate is released from presynaptic terminals in response to an action potential. It acts on three main families of receptors: ionotropic receptors, including NMDA, AMPA, and kainate receptors, and metabotropic glutamate receptors (mGluRs). Ionotropic receptors form ligand-gated ion channels that permit cation flow and rapid excitation, with NMDA receptors also allowing calcium entry and requiring co-agonists and membrane depolarization for activation. Metabotropic receptors modulate neuronal excitability and neurotransmitter release through G protein–coupled signaling.

Glutamate signaling is tightly controlled by vesicular transporters and uptake systems. Glutamate is loaded into synaptic vesicles by vesicular glutamate transporters (VGLUTs) and cleared from the synaptic cleft primarily by excitatory amino acid transporters (EAATs) on astrocytes and neurons. Proper clearance prevents excitotoxicity, a harmful overactivation linked to stroke, traumatic brain injury, and several neurodegenerative conditions.

Physiological roles include modulation of synaptic strength and plasticity, essential for learning and memory. Dysregulation of the glutamatergic system has been associated with psychiatric disorders, epilepsy, and neurodegenerative diseases. Pharmacological agents targeting glutamate receptors or transporters are used in research and clinical contexts, including NMDA receptor antagonists and mGluR modulators.