Resumen

MEDINA MARIN, Adriana  y  ESCOBAR, Martha. Sistema glutamatérgico, primera parte : Sinaptología, homeostasis y muerte celular . rev.colomb.psiquiatr. [online]. 2002, vol.31, n.3, pp. 193-218. ISSN 0034-7450.

The glutamic acid is the most abundant neurotransmitter oí the nervous system. The glutamatergic neurons spread its excitatory actions alog the CNS. Two thirds ofthe cortical neurons use glutamic acid as their transmitter. The glutamatergic endings primarily stablish synaptic contaets with dendritic spines, these structures play a major role in complex integrative functions and their activity is related to plasticity The synaptic glutamatergic function had deserved attention, considering its implication in Neurology and Psychiatry. In thepast fewyears a wealth of information has been accumulated in aspects ofthe glutamatergic system such as metabolism, types of receptors, transporters and homeostasis. Dysfunction ofthe glutamtergic system has been associated with a varíety of disorders that in some cases can be related to cell death.

Palabras llave : Apoptosis ; glutamic acid ; nmethyaspartate ; kainic acid ; aminoacid transport system ; neurotoxicity syndromes .