Neuronal apoptosis after CNS injury: The roles of glutamate and calcium

While a role has been well established for excitotoxic necrosis in the path ogenesis of traumatic or ischemic damage to the CNS, accumulating evidence now suggests that apoptosis may also be a prominent contributor. In this re view we focus on the role of glutamate and attendant intracellular calcium influx in triggering or modifying excitotoxic necrosis and apoptosis, raisi ng the possibility that calcium influx may affect these two death pathways in opposite directions. Incorporating consideration of both pathways will p robably be needed to develop the most effective neuroprotective treatments for CNS injury.