:
Glutamate’s role as the major excitatory neurotransmitter of the mammalian central nervous system requires that
its brain concentrations be kept tightly-controlled. However, in hepatic encephalopathy resulting from liver dysfunction; disruption of central neurotransmission and elevation of brain glutamate levels have been observed. These had been associated
with certain neurological changes. While neurological changes resulting from hepatic encephalopathy are believed to be
transient, the discovery of alterations in liver enzymes in Alzheimer’s disease and the role of glutamate and glutamate homeostasis in hepatic encephalopathy have piqued interests on the possible role of glutamate, and glutamate homeostasis in
neurodegenerative diseases. Here, we discuss the evidence in support of the involvement of peripheral/central glutamate
homeostasis in the development of neurodegenerative disorders as well as the implications of such interactions in the development of new therapies for neurodegenerative disorders.