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Excitotoxic destruction facilitates brain tumor growth

Nature Medicine volume 7, pages 994–995 (2001)Cite this article

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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Figure 1: Gliomas release glutamate, inducing a cytotoxic/apoptotic cascade in surrounding neurons, thereby clearing a path for growth in the brain.

Renee Lucas

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Neurology Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland, USA

    Jeffrey D. Rothstein

  2. Departments of Neurological Surgery and Oncology Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland, USA

    Henry Brem

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  1. Jeffrey D. Rothstein
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  2. Henry Brem
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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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