[The study of the NMDA receptor function in the visual cortex. Summary of habilitation thesis]

Finding the agents influencing the function of NMDA receptors in the visual cortex.

The experiments were performed on cats aged from three weeks to several years. Recordings were made from single neurons of the visual cortex after iontophoresis of N-methyl-D-aspartate acid, D-2-amino-5-phosphonovaleric acid, D-serine, 7-chlorokynurenic acid.

It was found that: 1. Light is one of the factors which has an influence on the development of NMDA receptors in the visual cortex. Rearing cats in the dark is delaying the changes in the function of NMDA receptors, reducing the number of directional sensitive neurons, lowering the firing rate during the visual response. 2. Monocular deprivation is first creating the reduction of the NMDA receptors' contribution to the visual response and later the functional degradation of the synapse. 3. In the Brodmann's 17th area most glycine sites at the NMDA receptors are not saturated by endogenous glycine.