Final answer:
Glutamate is the major excitatory neurotransmitter involved with memory, and an oversupply can cause excitotoxicity, leading to migraines or seizures. Other neurotransmitters also contribute to memory formation, but glutamate's role in synaptic plasticity makes it essential for learning.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Major Excitatory Neurotransmitter in Memory
The most widespread excitatory neurotransmitter in the central nervous system (CNS) is glutamate. It's fundamental to the processes of learning and memory due to its role in synaptic plasticity mechanisms like long-term potentiation (LTP) and long-term depression (LTD). These synaptic changes are essential for memory consolidation. Glutamate is released from nerve terminals into the synaptic cleft, where it binds to specific receptors on the post-synaptic neuron to facilitate excitatory transmission. However, when there's an oversupply of glutamate, it can lead to excitotoxicity. This condition is harmful to neurons and can result in migraines, seizures, or other neurological disorders, such as Alzheimer's disease. Implications of excitotoxicity have also been identified in conditions like status epilepticus (SE), where persistent epilepsy causes a continuous and self-sustaining increase in neuronal excitability.
Besides glutamate, other neurotransmitters like epinephrine, dopamine, serotonin, and acetylcholine play roles in memory and cognitive functions. For instance, serotonin modulates memory by influencing other neurotransmitter systems, and in Alzheimer's disease, glutamate signaling can be disrupted by Aß peptides leading to excitotoxicity and impaired memory.