glutamate

noun

glu·​ta·​mate ˈglü-tə-ˌmāt How to pronounce glutamate (audio)
: a salt or ester of glutamic acid
specifically : a salt or ester of levorotatory glutamic acid that functions as an excitatory neurotransmitter compare monosodium glutamate

Examples of glutamate in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Ketamine targets a brain chemical messenger called glutamate, which is thought to play a role in both pain and depression. Matthew Perrone, Fortune Well, 7 Nov. 2023 The second, glutamate, is an amino acid that gets put to work in all kinds of physical systems. Leslie Nemo, Discover Magazine, 30 Dec. 2020 That fact doesn’t answer how synapses respond to astrocytic glutamate. Laura Dattaro, Quanta Magazine, 18 Oct. 2023 By increasing dopamine, histamine, orexin, and glutamate levels, Flmodafinil promotes wakefulness, reduces fatigue, and improves cognitive function. The Salt Lake Tribune, 15 Aug. 2023 However, Gupta said that more research is needed to more accurately measure glutamate in the brain. Claretta Bellamy, NBC News, 4 Oct. 2023 Theoretically, reducing glutamate can reduce anxiety [4]. The Salt Lake Tribune, 5 Sep. 2023 Research suggests the drug may help rewire the brain by affecting its production of the amino acid glutamate, which acts as a neurotransmitter. Emily Maloney, STAT, 7 Sep. 2023 This modulation of glutamate levels can influence memory formation, attention span, and overall cognitive performance. Amber Smith, Discover Magazine, 16 Aug. 2023 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'glutamate.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1876, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of glutamate was in 1876

Dictionary Entries Near glutamate

Cite this Entry

“Glutamate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/glutamate. Accessed 1 Dec. 2023.

Medical Definition

glutamate

noun
glu·​ta·​mate ˈglüt-ə-ˌmāt How to pronounce glutamate (audio)
: a salt or ester of glutamic acid
specifically : a salt or ester of levorotatory glutamic acid that functions as an excitatory neurotransmitter see monosodium glutamate

More from Merriam-Webster on glutamate

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