TY - GEN ID - heidok5390 SP - 253 KW - NMDA receptor KW - calcium signaling KW - survival KW - cell death KW - CREB KW - stroke TI - Extrasynaptic NMDA Receptors : Mediators of Excitotoxic Cell Death Y1 - 2004/// AV - public CY - Stuttgart N2 - The N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) type of glutamate receptor is a calcium-permeable ion channel with important functions in the physiology and pathology of the mammalian brain. NMDA receptors are critical for long-lasting, activity-induced changes in synaptic transmission, a process thought to be involved in learning and memory. NMDA receptors also control neuronal survival and cell death. How can the biological consequences of NMDA receptor activation be so diametrically opposed? The outcome of NMDA receptor activation appears to be determined by its localization. Stimulation of synaptic NMDA receptors (by synaptically-released glutamate) activates gene expression mediated by the transcription factor, cAMP-response element-binding-protein (CREB) and induces pro-survival events. In contrast, calcium flux through extrasynaptic NMDA receptors overrides these functions, shutting off CREB activity, and causing mitochondrial dysfunction and cell death. These differences in the biological response are likely due to differences in the intracellular signaling complexes associated with synaptic vs. extrasynaptic NMDA receptors. As extrasynaptic NMDA receptors are thought to be activated following hypoxic/ischemic insults, specific blockade of extrasynaptic NMDA receptors or its signaling complex may efficiently reduce neuron loss following stroke. PB - Medpharm Scientific Publishers UR - https://archiv.ub.uni-heidelberg.de/volltextserver/5390/ A1 - Wittmann, Malte A1 - Bengtson, C. Peter A1 - Bading, Hilmar EP - 266 ER -