John Olney
Encyclopedia
John Olney is a medical doctor and neuropathologist known for his work on brain damage. He coined the term excitotoxicity
in his 1969 paper published in Science. Olney's lesions
are named after him. In 1996 he was elected to the Institute of Medicine of the United States National Academy of Sciences. He has campaigned for greater regulation of monosodium glutamate
(MSG), aspartame
and other excitotoxins for over twenty years.
Excitotoxicity
Excitotoxicity is the pathological process by which nerve cells are damaged and killed by excessive stimulation by neurotransmitters such as glutamate and similar substances. This occurs when receptors for the excitatory neurotransmitter glutamate such as the NMDA receptor and AMPA receptor are...
in his 1969 paper published in Science. Olney's lesions
Olney's lesions
Olney's lesions, also known as NMDA receptor antagonist neurotoxicity , are a potential form of brain damage. They are named after John Olney, who conducted a study investigating neurotoxicity caused by PCP and related drugs in 1989.-History:...
are named after him. In 1996 he was elected to the Institute of Medicine of the United States National Academy of Sciences. He has campaigned for greater regulation of monosodium glutamate
Monosodium glutamate
Monosodium glutamate, also known as sodium glutamate or MSG, is the sodium salt of glutamic acid, one of the most abundant naturally occurring non-essential amino acids....
(MSG), aspartame
Aspartame
Aspartame is an artificial, non-saccharide sweetener used as a sugar substitute in some foods and beverages. In the European Union, it is codified as E951. Aspartame is a methyl ester of the aspartic acid/phenylalanine dipeptide. It was first sold under the brand name NutraSweet; since 2009 it...
and other excitotoxins for over twenty years.