Pathological process by which neurons are damaged and killed by the overactivation of receptors for the excitatory neurotransmitter glutamate, such as the NMDA receptor and AMPA receptor.

Note: Excitotoxins like NMDA and kainic acid bind to glutamate t receptors, and can cause excitotoxicity by allowing high levels of calcium ions to enter cells, activating enzymes such as phospholipases, endonucleases, and proteases such as calpain which damage cell structures including the cytoskeleton, membranes, and DNA.