Chronic exposure to glutamate (glutamate excitotoxicity) exacerbates neuronal damage in the aftermath of stroke and is implicated in a variety of neurodegenerative disorders. Mitochondria play a central role in the survival or death of the exposed neuron. Calcium, oxidative stress and ATP insufficiency play closely interlocked roles that may be investigated with primary neuronal cultures.

Keywords:
ATP, excitotoxicity, glutamate, ischaemia, mitochondrion, oxidative stress
© The Authors Journal compilation © 2009 Biochemical Society
2009
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