What is the Role of Glutamate in Synaptic Plasticity?
Glutamate is crucial for synaptic plasticity, the ability of synapses to strengthen or weaken over time. This is fundamental for learning and memory. Long-term potentiation (LTP) and long-term depression (LTD) are processes largely mediated by glutamate through its action on NMDA receptors, which allow calcium ions to enter the neuron and initiate signaling cascades that alter synaptic strength.
