Glutamate is one of the most common amino acids found in nature. It is the main component of many proteins, and is present in most tissues. Glutamate is also produced in the body and plays an essential role in human metabolism. It is a primary excitatory neurotransmitter in the human CNS. L-glutamate is present at a majority of synapses. Overstimulation of these same receptors is thought to trigger the neuronal damage associated with a wide variety of neurological insults and diseases, including amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), lathyrisms, and Alzheimer’s disease.
