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Updated: Jun 9, 2025

A High-throughput Calcium-flux Assay to Study NMDA-receptors with Sensitivity to Glycine/D-serine and Glutamate
Published on: July 10, 2018
NMDA Receptors: Distribution, Role, and Insights into Neuropsychiatric Disorders
Marie Beaurain1, Anne-Sophie Salabert1, Pierre Payoux1
1ToNIC, Toulouse NeuroImaging Center, INSERM, UPS, Université de Toulouse, 31024 Toulouse, France.
Background:
N-methyl-D-aspartate receptors (NMDARs) are members of the ionotropic glutamate receptor family. These ligand-gated channels are entwined with numerous fundamental neurological functions within the central nervous system (CNS), and numerous neuropsychiatric disorders may arise from their malfunction.
Methods:
The purpose of the present review is to provide a detailed description of NMDARs by addressing their molecular structures, activation mechanisms, and physiological roles in the mammalian brain. In the second part, their role in various neuropsychiatric disorders including stroke, epilepsy, anti-NMDA encephalitis, Alzheimer's and Huntington's diseases, schizophrenia, depression, neuropathic pain, opioid-induced tolerance, and hyperalgesia will be covered.
Results:
Finally, through a careful exploration of the main non-competitive NMDARs antagonists (channel-blockers).
Conclusion:
We discuss the strengths and limitations of the various molecular structures developed for diagnostic or therapeutic purposes.
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