What are NMDA receptors?
N-methyl D-aspartate (NMDA) receptors are ligand-gated cation channels activated by an excitatory neurotransmitter, glutamate. These receptors are located mostly at excitatory synapses, and thereby, participate in excitatory neurotransmission in the central nervous system.
What is the role of NMDA receptor?
The NMDA receptor is thought to be very important for controlling synaptic plasticity and mediating learning and memory functions. The NMDA receptor is ionotropic, meaning it is a protein which allows the passage of ions through the cell membrane.
What do NMDA receptors regulate?
NMDA Receptors Regulate the Development of Neuronal Intrinsic Excitability through Cell-Autonomous Mechanisms. Maturation of neuronal and synaptic functions during early life is essential for the development of neuronal circuits and behaviors.
Where is the NMDA receptor located?
The large majority of NMDA receptors are located postsynaptically on dendrites and dendritic spines. Electron microscopic immunocytochemical studies have shown that both NR1 and NR2A/B IRs are mostly present on dendrites and dendritic spines (21,23,24,31,32).
What neurons have NMDA receptors?
N-methyl-D-aspartate receptors (NMDARs) are present in both pyramidal neurons and interneurons of the hippocampus. These receptors play an important role in the adult structural plasticity of excitatory neurons, but their impact on the remodeling of interneurons is unknown.