last updated 19-03-2024

Glutamate neurons

Glutamate neurons in the brain

Glutamate is an excitatory neurotransmitter found throughout the entire central nervous system. Glutamate is considered to be the most important neurotransmitter for normal brain function and it is estimated that over half of the neurons in the brain release glutamate.

 

High amounts of glutamate can be found in the basal ganglia, hypothalamus, brain stem and pyramidal cells in the cortex. Because of its role in synaptic plasticity, glutamate is involved in cognitive functions like learning and memory in the brain.