glutamatergic neurones

what is the most abundant excitatory neurotransmitter in the brain

glutamate

why is glutamate the most common neurotransmitter

because alot of the neurones in cns are glutamatergic (produce glutamate as their neurotransmitter

how do glutamatergic neurones send signals to other neurones

through excitatory synapses

why are glutamatergic neurones also known as:

• projection neurones

• principle neurones

• pyramidal neurones

because axons of glutamatergic neurones ‘project out’ if regions where neuronal cell bodies reside and make synpases with neurones located in other areas of brain

what is the most prevalent precursor of glutamate in synaptic terminals

glutamine

what is glutamine released by and taken up by

• released by glial cells 

• taken up by neurones

how do neurones obtain glutamate for neurotransmission. (hint: it starts with glutamine)

they take up glutamine released by glial cells which is then metabolised (converted) into glutamate by glutaminase (mitochondrial enzyme)

how else can glutamate be synthesised

by transamination of 2-oxoglutarate (intermediate of tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle)

true or false: glutamate does not cross blood brain barrier

true

where on the neurone specifically are glutamatergic synapses found

present on dendrites of neurones

on the presynaptic terminal of glutamatergic synapse, what does it consist of

small synaptic vesicles and dendritic spine

on the postsynaptic terminal of glutamatergic synapse, what does it consist of

postsynaptic density where glutamate receptors are embedded