Although it acts as a principal neurotransmitter in the brain, glutamate can be highly destructive if released in excess. Glutamate neurotoxicity has been implicated in stroke, head trauma, multiple sclerosis and neurodegenerative diseases. New research suggests that this abundant amino acid might also be involved the growth of brain tumors. (pages 1010–1015)
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References
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Rothstein, J., Brem, H. Excitotoxic destruction facilitates brain tumor growth. Nat Med 7, 994–995 (2001). https://doi.org/10.1038/nm0901-994
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/nm0901-994
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