| Question | Answer |
| Rate limiting step for synthesis of glutamate? | glutaminase |
| 2 routes of glutamine reuptake | 1. Metabolized by glutamine synthase in glia
2. Glutamine autoreceptor (Calcium dependent) |
| Glutamate receptor subtypes (4) | 1. Kainate
2. NMDA
3. AMPA
4. Metabotropic |
| What is long-term potentiation? | a long-lasting enhancement in signal transmission between two neurons that results from stimulating them synchronously? |
| What is excitotoxicity? | Characterized by:
Excessive glutamate release which leads to NMDA/kainate stimulation which increases intracellular Calcium.
This ultimately leads to cell swelling/death |
| What is epilepsy? | excess excitation and depolarization in foci |
| Blocking glutamate receptors can help treat what? | epilepsy |
| Why is the NMDA receptor different than the other glutamate receptors? | can increase intracellular Calcium ion levels |
| 1. Kainate (excitatory or inhibitory?)
2. Type of Receptor?
3. Molecular effects? (intracellular) | 1. Excitatory
2. Ionophore
3.Increase Na+
Decrease K+ |
| 1. NMDA (excitatory or inhibitory?)
2. Type of Receptor?
3. Molecular effects? (intracellular) | 1. Excitatory
2. Ionophore
3. Increase Ca++ and Na+
Decrease K+ |
| 1. AMPA (excitatory or inhibitory?)
2. Type of Receptor?
3. Molecular effects? (intracellular) | 1. Excitatory
2. Ionophore
3. Increase Na+
Decrease K+ |
| 1. Metabotropic Glutamate Receptor (excitatory or inhibitory?)
2. Type of Receptor?
3. Molecular effects? (Intracellular) | 1. Excitatory or Inhibitory??????????
2. GPCR
3. Decrease cAMP
Increase IP3 |
| Major pathway in the brain (Glutamate) | Cortex to striatum |
| How is glutamate synthesized? | Glutamine is synthesized to glutamate by glutaminase |
