Glutamate is one of the most common amino acids found in nature. It is the main component of many proteins and peptides, and is present in most tissues. Glutamate is also produced in the body and plays an essential role in human metabolism. As the primary excitatory neurotransmitter in the mammalian CNS, L-glutamate is present at a majority of synapses. Overstimulation of these same receptors is thought to underlie the neuronal damage associated with a wide variety of neurological insults and diseases, including amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, lathyrisms, and Alzheimer's disease.