Glutamate as a cause of Neurodegenerative Diseases?
The pathway has been revealed…
By Benjamin Musrie, Medical Researcher. Sydney, Australia.
The human brain is composed of approximately 86 billion neurons (Azevedo et al., 2009). These neurons communicate with one another via endogenous chemical messengers known as neurotransmitters to transmit messages to target cells such as muscle cells, glands and other neurons. Billions of neurotransmitter molecules work to regulate bodily functions such as keeping our muscles moving and hearts beating. They can also regulate psychological functions such as mood, fear and joy.
Neurotransmission is the process of communication whereby neurotransmitters cross tiny gaps (synapses) from a neuron to its target cell. Neurotransmitters are released by the pre-synaptic neuron into the synaptic cleft where they rapidly diffuse to specific receptors on the dendrites of nearby post-synaptic neurons. Receptors receive and process the message then send it onto the next neuron. This chain of communication continues until a final message is relayed to the target cell.