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Figure 1. Role of glutamate transporter-1 (GLT1) at the excitatory synapse
After glutamate is released…
Figure 1. Role of glutamate transporter-1 (GLT1) at the excitatory synapse
After glutamate is released from the pre-synaptic neuron, it binds to receptors on the post-synaptic neuron. This allows for the exchange of ions (Na+, K+) and subsequent firing of action potentials. Glutamate then spills out of the synapse and is cleared from the extracellular space by GLT1. Within the astrocyte, glutamate can then be metabolized in a variety of ways.