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Glite Dictionary
excitotoxin

excitotoxin

9.9
A substance that makes nerve cells too active and damages them
  • noun
  • /ɪkˈsaɪtəˌtɑkɪn/
  • Specialized
translation icon : excitotoxina
  • The study focused on how excitotoxin affects the brain's nerve cells when present in high concentrations.

Examples

  • Certain types of excitotoxin can lead to severe neurological damage if ingested in large amounts.

  • Researchers are investigating the role of excitotoxin in various neurodegenerative diseases.

  • We then see the reaction and know what is our son and what is his brain on excitotoxin.

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Synonyms

neurotoxin
vsexcitotoxin
  • Specialized
9 7.8

A poison that damages nerves and can stop movement

causes damage by overstimulating nerve cells rather than general poisoning

How Toxic

excitotoxin
  • Specialized
9.9
neurotoxin
  • Specialized
9 7.8
toxin
  • Specialized
140 5.3
bioactive
  • Specialized
6.3
harmless
231 1.0

Surface Forms

excitotoxin singular
excitotoxins plural

Morphology

excitotoxin = excite + toxin (transparent) = excite + toxin

The term is a straightforward technical compound meaning a 'toxin' that 'excites' (overstimulates) cells, so its meaning follows directly from the component words.

Etymology

Excitotoxin comes from two parts: excite, meaning 'to rouse' or make active, and toxin, meaning 'poison'. So an excitotoxin is a chemical that acts like a poison by over-rousing nerve cells until they are damaged.