How is the neurotransmitter glutamate the same as the “glutamate” in monosodium glutamate?
Mono-sodium glutamate, or MSG is a sodium salt of the non-essential amino-acid glutamin. The same amino acid is part of the neurotransmitter glutamate. Glutamate in the brain, when not taken back up rapidly enough is thought to be a possible cause for ALS (also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease). MSG is considered by the FDA a food additive which is generally well-tolerated. Although there are many anecdotal reports of MSG intolerance, there has not been to date a well-controlled (i.e. double-blind) study proving such issues. Glutamate appears not to pass the blood-brain barrier, so glutamate from MSG is not likely to affect synaptic concentrations of glutamate (high concentrations over a too-long time can cause neuro-toxicity): – quote – This explains studies that show that the BBB is impermeable to glutamate, even at high concentrations, except in a few small areas that have fenestrated capillaries (circumventricular organs). Recently, the question of whether the BBB becomes permeable in
