DECG: Dynamics of extracellular glutamate

• Research unit: EU RFP
• Project number: 00.0553

Key words (English)

Astrocytes; glutamate release; neuron-glia communication; astrocyte signalling; glia in synaptic transmission;
Life Sciences; Medicine; Health; Scientific Research

Alternative project number (English)

EU project number: QLG3-CT-2001-02004

Research programs (English)

EU-programme: 5. Frame Research Programme - 1.1.8 Generic R&D activities

Short description (English)

See abstract

Further information (English)

Full name of research-institution/enterprise:
Université de Lausanne
Institut de Biologie cellulaire et de Morphologie

Partners and International Organizations (English)

University of Oslo (N), Dep. of Physiology, University College London (UK), Institute of Neurology, University College London, (UK), Université de Lausanne (CH), Fondazione Centro San Raffaele del Monte Tabor, Milan(I), Celica, Biomedical Sciences Center, Ljubljana (SI)

Abstract (English)

Glutamate (Glu) is the major mediator of excitatory signals in the central nervous system and both too low and too high levels of Glu are harmful. Glu exerts its signalling function by activating receptors on the cell surfaces. Nervous tissue is an extremely complex network of cellular extensions. Glu receptors are widely distributed within this network; both within and outside synapses. Glu is released at synapses and from other parts of both neurons and supporting cells.

Understanding of Glu mediated signalling therefore requires insight into how Glu diffuses between the cellular elements and how it is released into and is removed from the extracellular fluid. Disturbance of this control likely contributes to several disorders causing suffering and economic losses. The consortium will clarify the mechanisms controlling extracell Glu, and will produce a knowledge base for pharmaceutical industry and clinical medicine.

References in databases (English)

Swiss Database: Euro-DB of the
State Secretariat for Education and Research
Hallwylstrasse 4
CH-3003 Berne, Switzerland
Tel. [phone]
Swiss Project-Number: 00.0553