title: Excitatory amino acid regulation of neuronal functions.
abstract: Excitatory amino acids (EAAs), usually glutamate, activate the greatest excitatory system in the vertebrate brain. EAAs mediate synaptic transmission and control the stability and efficiency of synaptic connections. Moreover, EAAs provide the postsynaptic neurone with chemical cues for survival and maturation. Improper activation of EAA receptors can lead to neurotoxicity and be involved in the pathogenesis of certain neurological diseases.
authors.affiliation: Institute of General Physiology, University of Pavia, Italy.
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: D'Angelo
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Rossi
mesh_terms: D000596:Amino Acids / Q000502:physiology*; D002531:Cerebellum / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D006624:Hippocampus / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008959:Models, Neurological; D009424:Nervous System Physiological Phenomena; D009473:Neuronal Plasticity / Q000502:physiology; D016194:Receptors, N-Methyl-D-Aspartate / Q000502:physiology; D015290:Second Messenger Systems / Q000502:physiology; D009435:Synaptic Transmission / Q000502:physiology; D013572:Synaptic Vesicles / Q000502:physiology
chemical_list: D000596:Amino Acids; D016194:Receptors, N-Methyl-D-Aspartate