Chemicals and Drugs

Excitatory Amino Acids

Endogenous amino acids released by neurons as excitatory neurotransmitters. Glutamic acid is the most common excitatory neurotransmitter in the brain. Aspartic acid has been regarded as an excitatory transmitter for many years, but the extent of its role as a transmitter is unclear.

National Library of MedicineMedical Subject Headings2026

Structured Summary

Abstract

Endogenous amino acids released by neurons as excitatory neurotransmitters. Glutamic acid is the most common excitatory neurotransmitter in the brain. Aspartic acid has been regarded as an excitatory transmitter for many years, but the extent of its role as a transmitter is unclear.

MeSH Record

Classification

Broader headings

Related Concepts

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Drug Class

Pharmacological Action

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See Also

MeSH Record

Synonyms

5 entry terms
  • Amino Acids, Excitatory
  • Excitatory Amino Acid
  • Acid, Excitatory Amino
  • Acids, Excitatory Amino
  • Amino Acid, Excitatory

MeSH Record

Aspects Covered

28 allowable subheadings

Indexed with the subheadings administration & dosage, adverse effects, agonists, analysis, antagonists & inhibitors, biosynthesis, blood, cerebrospinal fluid, chemical synthesis, chemistry, classification, deficiency, economics, genetics, history, immunology, isolation & purification, metabolism, pharmacokinetics, pharmacology, physiology, poisoning, radiation effects, standards, supply & distribution, therapeutic use, toxicity, urine.

MeSH Record

Indexing Annotation

endogenous: do not confuse with EXCITATORY AMINO ACID AGENTS which are exogenous; GEN or unspecified; prefer specifics

MeSH Record

History Note

95

MeSH Record

Previous Indexing

  • Amino Acids (1966-1994)

MeSH Hierarchy

Tree Number

  1. D12.125w.427

AMA Style

References

  1. National Library of Medicine. Excitatory Amino Acids. Medical Subject Headings (MeSH). 2026. Unique ID D018846. http://id.nlm.nih.gov/mesh/2026/D018846
  2. Excitatory Amino Acids. In: Wikidata. https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q65553455