Astrocytes support glutamatergic neurotransmission in the central nervous system through multiple mechanisms which include: (i) glutamate clearance and control over glutamate spillover due to operation of glutamate transporters; (ii) supply of obligatory glutamate precursor glutamine via operation of glutamate–glutamine shuttle; (iii) supply of l-serine, the indispensable precursor of positive NMDA receptors neuromodulator d-serine and (iv) through overall homoeostatic control of the synaptic cleft. Astroglial cells express an extended complement of ionotropic and metabotropic glutamate receptors, which mediate glutamatergic input to astrocytes. In particular a sub-population of astrocytes in the cortex and in the spinal cord express specific type of NMDA receptors assembled from two GluN1, one GluN2C or D and one GluN3 subunits. This composition underlies low Mg²⁺ sensitivity thus making astroglial NMDA receptors operational at resting membrane potential. These NMDA receptors generate ionic signals in astrocytes and are linked to several astroglial homoeostatic molecular cascades.

星形胶质细胞通过多种机制支持中枢神经系统中的谷氨酸能神经传递，这些机制包括：（i）清除谷氨酸并控制由于谷氨酸转运蛋白的运行引起的谷氨酸溢出；（ii）通过操作谷氨酸-谷氨酰胺航天飞机提供必需的谷氨酸前体谷氨酰胺；（iii）供应l-丝氨酸，它是NMDA阳性神经调节剂d不可或缺的前体-丝氨酸和（iv）通过对突触间隙的整体均压控制。星形胶质细胞表达离子型和代谢型谷氨酸受体的扩展补体，介导谷氨酸能输入星形胶质细胞。特别地，在皮质和脊髓中的星形胶质细胞亚群表达特定类型的NMDA受体，其由两个GluN1，一个GluN2C或D和一个GluN3亚基组装而成。该组合物是低Mg ²⁺敏感性的基础，因此使星形胶质NMDA受体在静息膜电位下起作用。这些NMDA受体在星形胶质细胞中产生离子信号，并与几个星形胶质均质分子级联反应相关。