Title | Role of Glutamate and NMDA Receptors in Alzheimer's Disease. |
Publication Type | Journal Article |
Year of Publication | 2017 |
Authors | Wang, R, P Reddy, H |
Journal | J Alzheimers Dis |
Volume | 57 |
Issue | 4 |
Pagination | 1041-1048 |
Date Published | 2017 |
ISSN | 1875-8908 |
Abstract | Excitatory glutamatergic neurotransmission via N-methyl-d-aspartate receptor (NMDAR) is critical for synaptic plasticity and survival of neurons. However, excessive NMDAR activity causes excitotoxicity and promotes cell death, underlying a potential mechanism of neurodegeneration occurred in Alzheimer's disease (AD). Studies indicate that the distinct outcomes of NMDAR-mediated responses are induced by regionalized receptor activities, followed by different downstream signaling pathways. The activation of synaptic NMDARs initiates plasticity and stimulates cell survival. In contrast, the activation of extrasynaptic NMDARs promotes cell death and thus contributes to the etiology of AD, which can be blocked by an AD drug, memantine, an NMDAR antagonist that selectively blocks the function of extrasynaptic NMDARs. |
DOI | 10.3233/JAD-160763 |
Alternate Journal | J. Alzheimers Dis. |
PubMed ID | 27662322 |
PubMed Central ID | PMC5791143 |
Grant List | R01 AG042178 / AG / NIA NIH HHS / United States R01 AG047812 / AG / NIA NIH HHS / United States |