Impact of Glutamate In Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS)

Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) is a neurodegenerative
disease afflicting the global population. This
disease affects motor neuron nerve cells located in
the brain, brainstem, and spinal cord that serve as
controlling units and communication points between
the nervous system and the muscles of the body. In
ALS, both the upper motor neurons, in the brain, and
the lower motor neurons, in the spinal cord, degenerate
or die; thus ceasing transmission. The cause of
this disease is still under investigation. Here in, it is
hypothesized that ALS engenders from the over excitation
of motor nerve cells due to an excess of the
amino acid, glutamate, the principal neurotransmitter
in the brain. Therefore, an investigation into the properties
of the neurotransmitter glutamate, which could
be the potential cause of this neurodegenerative disease,
will help elucidate the role of this amino acid in
ALS.