The literature contains conflicting reports about whether or not the Gonadotropin Releasing Hormone (GnRH) GT1–7 neuronal cell line contains ionotropic glutamate receptors. To test for such receptors, we used domoic acid, a potent neurotoxin (and naturally produced amino acid contained in marine algae) to dose the GnRH GT1–7 hypothalamic neuronal cell line in concentrations of 5mg L⁻¹, 10mg L⁻¹, 20mg L⁻¹, 100mg L⁻¹, and 300mg L⁻¹. In order to understand how domoic acid affects these cells, we analyzed dosed cells with light microscopy. We also analyzed selected, high dose samples with transmission electron microscopy (TEM). All dosed and control samples were monitored with light microscopy continuously through the first hour after exposure. We analyzed our results with a t-test (dose effects) and two-way ANOVA (effects of dose and time). Cellular–scale differences (i.e., number of axons, number of synapses, and number of cell bodies) did not differ among doses or times (p > 0.10). TEM samples (dosed at 100mg L⁻¹) were analyzed after 35 minutes of domoic acid exposure. TEM results demonstrate atypical nuclear shape, chromatin condensation, and chromatin margination, which are characteristics of apoptosis. Our studies demonstrate that the GT1–7 cells contain the ionotropic glutamate receptors.