The features of central glutamate synapses are well suited to the spectrum of functions these elements serve in brain function. However, receptor-mediated mechanisms are only one facet of phenomena such as excitotoxicity or long-term potentiation, which almost certainly involve other neuronal components, e.g., other transmitter systems, voltage-gated channels, and biochemical mechanisms as well as possibly astrocytes in some cases. Nonetheless the rapid pace of progress in this field reinforces not only the diversity and complexity of the CNS, but suggests that it is not overly optimistic to think that understanding of these mechanisms will soon have an impact on neurological and mental illness.