NMDA Receptors in Glial Cells: Pending Questions.

摘要: Glutamate receptors of the N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) type are involved in many cognitive processes, including behavior, learning and synaptic plasticity. For a long time NMDA were thought to be privileged domain neurons; however, discoveries last 25 years have demonstrated their active role glial cells as well. Despite large number studies field, there unresolved questions connected with glia that still matter debate. The main objective this review is shed light on these controversies by summarizing results from all relevant works concerning astrocytes, oligodendrocytes polydendrocytes (also known NG2 cells) experimental animals, further extended performed human glia. divided according study approach enable better comparison how findings obtained at mRNA level correspond protein expression or functionality. Furthermore, special attention focused receptor subunits present particular cell types, which give them characteristics different those neurons - for example, absence Mg(2+) block decreased Ca(2+) permeability. Since implicated important physiological pathophysiological roles central nervous system (CNS), part provides an overview respect ischemic brain injury.