Glutamate receptor ionotropic, NMDA subtype (NMDAR)

The N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor is an ionotropic glutamate receptor that serves as a critical excitatory neurotransmitter receptor in the central nervous system. It plays an integral role in synaptic plasticity and is particularly notable for its permeability to calcium ions. NMDA receptors are heterotetrameric complexes composed of different combinations of subunits from three distinct gene families: GluN1, GluN2 (A-D), and GluN3 (A-B). They are essential for long-term potentiation (LTP) and long-term depression (LTD), cellular mechanisms underlying learning and memory. Dysfunction of NMDA receptors has been implicated in various neurological and psychiatric disorders, including neurodegenerative diseases, epilepsy, and schizophrenia.

Other names

NMDA receptorN-methyl-D-aspartate receptor

Ligand-gated ion channel; requires glutamate and glycine (or D-serine) binding for activation. Blocked by magnesium ions at resting membrane potentials.