Glutamate neurotransmitter action on postsynaptic receptors is terminated by its clearance
from the synaptic cleft by transporter proteins located in neurons and glial cells. Failure of
glutamate removal can lead to neuronal death due to its well-known neurotoxic properties.
Glutamate transporters are dependent on external Na+, and thus on the activity of Na+/K+
ATPases, which maintain the Na+ concentration gradient. When the energy brain
requirements are not fulfilled by the appropriate blood supply of glucose and oxygen, the …