The glutamate pathways in the ‘normal’ brain
In the normal brain the prominent glutamatergic pathways are: the cortico-cortical pathways; the pathways between the thalamus and the cortex; and the extrapyramidal pathway (the projections between the cortex and striatum). Other glutamate projections exist between the cortex, substantia nigra, subthalmic nucleus and pallidum. Glutamate-containing neuronal terminals are ubiquitous in the central nervous system and their importance in mental activity and neurotransmission is considerable.