sentences:  The release of too much glutamate, either at once or over a prolonged period of time, will lead to increased levels of in the cytoplasm.Since is the signaling molecule for the release of glutamate into the synapse, this can result in potentiation of the glutamate release cycle and the spread of excitotoxic damage to neighboring neurons.Inside the neuron, the extra will leave the cytoplasm and enter either the mitochondria or the endoplasmic reticulum (ER), which can lead to accumulation of misfolded or unfolded proteins in the ER and ultimately cell death in both cases.