Does glutamate play a role in ALS?5 answersGlutamate plays a role in ALS. Increased extracellular glutamate in ALS and cerebral ischemia stimulates the utilization of glutamate as metabolic fuel, suggesting a beneficial role for glutamate in these conditions. Glutamatergic excitotoxicity or dysregulation of glutamatergic signaling is considered a mechanism underlying motor neuron death in ALS. Altered glutamate homeostasis is believed to be involved in ALS pathogenesis, and the approved treatment for ALS, riluzole, modulates glutamate. Glutamate metabolism disorders are connected to TDP-43 proteinopathy, a pathological mechanism in ALS. Glutamate-mediated corticomotor neuronal hyperexcitability is correlated with ALS, and disruption of the neuron-astrocyte glutamate-glutamine cycle may retard ALS progression.
What is the role of glutamate neurotransmission in humans?4 answersGlutamate neurotransmission plays a crucial role in various neurological disorders and physiological processes in humans. It is an essential excitatory neurotransmitter in the central nervous system, involved in neuronal development, memory formation, and synaptic plasticity. Glutamate is synthesized from glucose and disturbances in glutamatergic function have been implicated in the pathophysiology of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Glutamate also acts as a potential survival factor in ischemic settings, improving cell viability by stimulating ATP production. Abnormalities in glutamatergic neurotransmission have been linked to major psychiatric disorders, and targeting the glutamate system has shown promise in the treatment of these disorders. Excessive glutamate release during cerebral ischemia leads to glutamate-induced neuronal toxicity and excitotoxicity, contributing to ischemic neuronal damage. Interrupting the cascades of glutamate-induced cell death may provide future treatment options for ischemic stroke.
What role do extracellular vesicles play in neurological disorders?5 answersExtracellular vesicles (EVs) play a significant role in neurological disorders. They have been investigated as potential therapeutics for neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases. EVs derived from cells that support and protect neurons, such as astrocytes and microglia, have been studied extensively. These EVs regulate the molecular differentiation of neurons and can influence migratory dynamics, potentially affecting the assembly of cortical circuits. Furthermore, EVs have the ability to cross the blood-brain barrier, allowing for the delivery of therapeutic molecules to the brain tissues and facilitating intercellular communication. Small EVs (sEVs) have shown promise as drug delivery systems for targeted delivery to the brain, with low toxicity, high stability, and high delivery efficiency. Overall, EVs have emerged as important players in the pathogenesis and potential treatment of neurological disorders.
Why does glutamate have to be metabolized into glutamine when uptake in astrocytes?3 answersGlutamate needs to be metabolized into glutamine when taken up by astrocytes because a considerable proportion of glutamate undergoes oxidative degradation, making it impossible for glutamine to be quantitatively formed from the glutamate taken up. Glutamate metabolism in astrocytes involves oxidative degradation, primarily mediated by glutamate dehydrogenase (GDH), and transamination by aspartate aminotransferase. The conversion of glutamate to glutamine by astrocytes is important for efficient removal of glutamate from the synaptic cleft. Glutamine synthase (GS) plays a key role in maintaining low concentrations of glutamate in astrocytes, and its inhibition leads to cytosolic accumulation of glutamate. The conversion of glutamate to glutamine by GS ensures an efficient clearance of glutamate by excitatory amino acid transporters (EAATs) and prevents glutamate spillover. The glutamate-glutamine cycle involves the transport of glutamate from neurons to astrocytes, conversion to glutamine, and subsequent return to neurons for conversion back to glutamate.
What is the relationship between left MCA and glutamate?5 answersThe relationship between left middle cerebral artery (MCA) and glutamate is not directly addressed in the provided abstracts. However, there are studies that discuss the role of glutamate in brain activity and its potential impact on various brain regions, including the perigenual anterior cingulate cortex (PACC). Glutamate has been found to modulate the resting state activity level in the PACC, which is part of the default-mode network (DMN). Additionally, disruptions in glutamate and resting-state connectivity have been observed in individuals who use cannabis, suggesting a potential link between glutamate and brain function. While these studies provide insights into the role of glutamate in brain activity, further research is needed to specifically investigate the relationship between left MCA and glutamate.
How does the glutamate release from presynaptic ends work?5 answersGlutamate release from presynaptic ends involves several mechanisms. Glutamate is accumulated into synaptic vesicles, which serve as the major source of glutamate release. The vesicles undergo a process of filling with glutamate and are transformed into a release-ready pool through phosphorylation-mediated removal of Synapsin I. Docking and fusion of the vesicles with the presynaptic plasma membrane are mediated by the SNARE complex. The Ca2+-dependent step in exocytosis is proposed to be mediated by synaptotagmin. Glutamate recycling is crucial for maintaining the pool of available synaptic vesicles and removing glutamate from the extracellular space. Transport activities at the plasma membrane and synaptic vesicle play a role in determining the amplitude and time course of synaptic responses. Presynaptic glutamate receptors can also modulate neurotransmitter release, adding complexity to glutamatergic synaptic transmission.