The excitatory amino acid glutamate has been shown to be toxic to a number of neuronal cell types both in vitro and in vivo. It has also been shown to be capable of controlling the development of neurons grown in vitro. Using time-lapse video microscopy techniques the effects of glutamate on the rate of neurite outgrowth and growth cone motility were examined on cultured mouse spinal cord neurons. Concentrations in the range of 1 to 100 µM caused a significant inhibition of neurite outgrowth and concentrations of 10 and 100 µM significantly inhibited growth cone activity. In addition it was shown that the kainate/AMPA receptor antagonist (±)3-(2-carbvoxypiperazin-4-yl)-propyl-l-phosphonic acid, but not the NMDA receptor antagonist 6,7-dinitroquinoxaline-2,3-dione, was capable of blocking the inhibitory actions of glutamate on both outgrowth and motility. These results show that, at least in the culture system employed, glutamate might have a role in regulating neuronal development and function.