The Role of NMDA Receptors in Alzheimer's Disease

Jinping Liu¹, Lirong Chang², Yizhi Song²

¹School of Medicine, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China.

|February 26, 2019

Abstract:

In Alzheimer's disease (AD), early synaptic dysfunction is associated with the increased oligomeric amyloid-beta peptide, which causes NMDAR-dependent synaptic depression and spine elimination. Memantine, low-affinity NMDAR channel blocker, has been used in the treatment of moderate to severe AD. However, clear evidence is still deficient in demonstrating the underlying mechanisms and a relationship between NMDARs dysfunction and AD. This review focuses on not only changes in expression of different NMDAR subunits, but also some unconventional modes of NMDAR action.

Insights

Alzheimer

Area of Science:

Neuroscience
Neurodegenerative Diseases
Molecular Biology

Background:

Alzheimer's disease (AD) involves early synaptic dysfunction linked to amyloid-beta peptides.
Oligomeric amyloid-beta induces NMDAR-dependent synaptic depression and spine loss.
Memantine, an NMDAR blocker, is used for moderate to severe AD, but mechanisms require clarification.

Purpose of the Study:

To review the role of NMDAR dysfunction in Alzheimer's disease.
To explore changes in NMDAR subunit expression in AD.
To examine unconventional NMDAR actions in the context of AD.

Main Methods:

Literature review of studies on NMDARs and Alzheimer's disease.
Analysis of research on amyloid-beta's effects on synaptic function.
Examination of NMDAR subunit expression and function in AD models and patients.

Main Results:

Oligomeric amyloid-beta disrupts synaptic function via NMDARs.
Alterations in NMDAR subunit composition are implicated in AD pathogenesis.
NMDARs may exhibit non-canonical functions relevant to AD.

Conclusions:

NMDAR dysfunction is a key factor in early Alzheimer's disease.
Understanding NMDAR mechanisms offers therapeutic targets for AD.
Further research into NMDARs, including unconventional roles, is crucial for AD treatment.

Read full analysis

Keywords:

Alzheimer’s disease NMDA receptor amyloid beta memantine synaptic dysfunction

Related Experiment Videos

The Role of NMDA Receptors in Alzheimer's Disease

Insights

Related Concept Videos

[Association between genetic polymorphism of tumor necrosis factor and chronic severe hepatitis B in patients].

In vivo translational inaccuracy in Escherichia coli: missense reporting using extremely low activity mutants of Vibrio harveyi luciferase.

[Construction of recombinant adenovirus vector expressing extracellular domain of TbetaR-II-RANTES fusion gene and its anti-tumor effects].

[Characteristics, evolution and variation of M genes of human avian H5N1 strains in Guangdong].

Dynamic changes in microbial activity and community structure during biodegradation of petroleum compounds: a laboratory experiment.

Epidemiological survey of Kawasaki disease in Sichuan province of China.

The aryl hydrocarbon receptor and kynurenine pathway: connecting inflammatory bowel disease and depression via the microbiota gut brain axis.

A practical framework for large-scale neuroimaging data collection in clinically diverse populations: experience from the Stanford Brain Stimulation Lab.

Loss of microbial diversity from human-microbe coevolution: immune, epigenetic, and enteric nervous system mechanisms linking dysbiosis to neuropsychiatric and neurodegenerative diseases.

Tensor decomposition reveals discrete cortical reorganization under graded propofol anesthesia.

Longitudinal changes in resting-state EEG eyes-closed/open delta differentiation during an Antarctic expedition.

Longitudinal white matter network reorganization after rTMS in first-episode schizophrenia: associations with sleep improvement.

Finerenone versus Steroidal MRAs in Type 2 Diabetes and Chronic Kidney Disease without Prior Heart Failure.

Preoperative antibiotics for mild or moderate acute cholecystitis (POMMAC): study protocol for a non-inferiority, open-label, randomized controlled trial.

Merkel cell polyomavirus DNA in CSF of paediatric patients with suspected meningitis or encephalitis.

EEG microstate alterations in psychotic depression: prolonged microstate C duration and associations with psychotic symptoms.

Brucella melitensis infection complicated by secondary hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis, meningitis, and multiorgan damage: a case report and literature review.

Rhino-orbito-cerebral mucormycosis (ROCM) in eastern Iran: a six-year dual-center retrospective observational study of 329 patients.

Related Experiment Videos

The Role of NMDA Receptors in Alzheimer's Disease

Abstract:

Insights

Related Concept Videos

Related Articles