Over the past several years, research has demonstrated that the
excitatory amino acids serve as the major excitatory neurotransmitters in
cerebral cortex and hippocampus. Neurons that contain excitatory amino
acids play crucial roles in neuropsychological functioning, learning, and
memory. In addition, these neurons exert descending control over
subcortical structures that is behaviorally antagonistic to the effects
mediated by the ascending dopaminergic system. Disturbances of excitatory
amino acid systems may contribute to the pathogenesis of schizophrenia and
to other neuropsychiatric syndromes associated with delirium or
dementia.Abstract Teaser