Excitotoxicity can be triggered by various factors, including excessive stimulation of glutamate receptors, which leads to increased intracellular calcium levels. This can be caused by pathological conditions, such as ischemia or hypoglycemia, or by exposure to certain toxins that affect neurotransmitter release or receptor function. For instance, some neurotoxins and drugs of abuse can induce excitotoxicity by disrupting normal neurotransmitter signaling.
