Excitotoxicity

Excitotoxicity is a process where nerve cells are damaged or killed due to excessive stimulation by certain chemicals called neurotransmitters, mainly glutamate. Normally, glutamate helps send signals between brain cells, but when it’s released in large amounts—such as during injury or disease—it over-activates receptors, leading to an overload of calcium inside the cells. This triggers harmful processes like enzyme activation and free radical production, ultimately causing cell damage and death. Excitotoxicity is involved in conditions like stroke, traumatic brain injury, and neurodegenerative diseases.