Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 4, 2026
10:46
Using Enzyme-based Biosensors to Measure Tonic and Phasic Glutamate in Alzheimer's Mouse Models
Published on: May 3, 2017
Physiological release of excitatory amino acids
1University Laboratory of Physiology, Oxford, UK. fillenz@vax.ox.ac.uk
Behavioural Brain Research
|November 1, 1995
Summary
In vivo monitoring reveals glutamate
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Neurochemistry
Background:
- Glutamate is a key excitatory neurotransmitter in the brain.
- Understanding glutamate release and uptake is crucial for brain function.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the contribution of in vivo monitoring to the study of glutamate release.
- To elucidate the functions of glutamate transporters and extracellular glutamate levels.
Main Methods:
- Review of in vivo monitoring studies on glutamate and aspartate release.
- Analysis of Ca(2+)-dependent K(+)-evoked release mechanisms.
- Examination of glutamate transporter functions in neurons and glia.
Main Results:
- Physiological stimulation increases extracellular glutamate and aspartate.
- Glutamate, but not aspartate, is stored in synaptic vesicles, confirming its role as the primary excitatory transmitter.
- Glutamate transporters mediate uptake into neurons and glia, with diverse functional consequences including glutamine recycling, ascorbate release, and energy substrate export.
Conclusions:
- In vivo monitoring is vital for studying neurotransmitter dynamics.
- Glutamate transporters play multifaceted roles beyond synaptic clearance.
- The functional impact of basal extracellular glutamate levels on NMDA and non-NMDA receptors requires further investigation due to receptor complexity.
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