Glutamate is the major excitatory neurotransmitter in the central nervous system. Its activity is
carefully modulated in the synaptic cleft by glutamate transporters. The glial glutamate
transporter EAAT2 is the main mediator of glutamate clearance. Reduced EAAT2 function
could lead to accumulation of extracellular glutamate, resulting in a form of cell death known
as excitotoxicity. In amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and Alzheimer disease, EAAT2 protein
levels are significantly decreased in affected areas. EAAT2 mRNA levels, however, remain …