Articles tagged with Nmda Receptors
Scientists have obtained an atomic-level picture of the intact NMDA receptor, a massive multi-subunit complex that integrates chemical and electrical signals in the brain. The structure reveals how the receptor is regulated and offers new insight into its function, which is tightly controlled and associated with neurological diseases.
The Rett Syndrome Association of Massachusetts has donated $150,000 to support a Rettsyndrome.org approved grant to Dr. Michela Fagiolini's project at the Boston Children's Hospital. The goal is to assess NMDA receptor modulators for potential treatments in girls diagnosed with Rett syndrome.
Researchers have gained unprecedented insight into the NMDA receptor, a key player in learning and memory. The new 3D model provides vital clues for developing drugs to combat neurological diseases such as Alzheimer
Researchers at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory have obtained an unprecedented view of a type of brain-cell receptor implicated in neurological illnesses. The team's atomic-level picture of the intact NMDA receptor should serve as a template and guide for the design of therapeutic compounds.
Researchers have discovered the molecular structure of NMDA receptor blockers, which could lead to new treatments for depression, schizophrenia, and Alzheimer's diseases. The findings provide valuable insights into how these receptors work and offer hope for developing targeted therapies.
A new study published in Biological Psychiatry reports that the compound sarcosine enhances NMDA receptor function, causing antidepressant-like effects and improving mood scores in patients with depression. The findings suggest that normalizing NMDA receptor activity may restore mood to normal levels.
As people age, their memory-making abilities decrease due to the loss of GluN2B subunits in NMDA receptors, but research suggests that lifestyle changes can help mitigate this decline. Studies have shown that genetic therapy can restore some subunits and improve cognitive function in laboratory mice.
Researchers discovered a novel pathway to enhance NMDA receptor function using pregnenolone sulfate, increasing functional receptors on cell surface within minutes. This finding suggests potential treatments not only for schizophrenia but also age-related memory and learning issues.
A new compound, GLYX-13, has been shown to rapidly lift depression without the severe side effects associated with ketamine. The molecule activates NMDA receptors, leading to increased memory and learning, and has been found effective in patients who failed treatment with conventional antidepressants.
Researchers at OHSU's Vollum Institute have discovered a new NMDA receptor subtype that is the most common at synapses, contradicting previous drug development efforts. The study suggests that this subtype may be a new target for developing effective therapies for neurological disorders.
Researchers identified rare variants in genes involved with the NMDA receptor network, which regulate brain cell connections and signal transmissions. These findings support the hypothesis that decreased NMDA receptor-mediated nerve-signal transmissions contribute to schizophrenia.
Researchers identified a rare variant in GRIN3A associated with schizophrenia, suggesting an intrinsic mechanism producing psychotic symptoms. The study supports the 'NMDA receptor hypothesis' and proposes a novel point of therapeutic intervention.
Researchers at UC San Diego found that glutamate binding to NMDA receptors causes conformational changes leading to weakened synapses and impaired brain function. Beta amyloid peptide also weakens synapses by causing similar conformational changes.
Researchers have provided definitive evidence that NMDAR receptors are crucial for pruning synapses in newborn mammals' brains. This discovery sheds new light on the neural basis of autism and schizophrenia. The study used a mouse model with brain cells lacking or containing NMDARs to demonstrate the receptor's direct role in synaptic ...
A new antidepressant drug called GLYX-13 has shown significant reductions in depression symptoms within hours, with positive effects lasting an average of seven days from a single dose. The novel therapeutic targets brain receptors responsible for learning and memory.
Researchers discovered a unique protein bond that enables NMDA receptors to stabilize on the cell surface, increasing communication between brain cells. The scaffolding protein SAP102 binds with GluN2B at two sites, facilitating receptor turnover and preventing debilitating diseases like Alzheimer's and Parkinson's.
Researchers find that hippocampal NMDA receptors are crucial for detecting conflicts in spatial orientation problems. The study used genetically modified mice to demonstrate that the receptors are necessary for resolving conflicts, contradicting a central tenet of neuroscience.
Research reveals that AgRP neurons drive feeding behaviors and undergo anatomical changes during fasting, becoming more active and responsive to hunger-promoting stimuli. The study provides insight into the neural mechanisms controlling weight gain and obesity.
Researchers found that NMDA receptors on dopamine neurons are essential for habit formation, allowing brain cells to communicate and increase activity. The discovery provides new direction for therapy to treat diseases like Parkinson's and opens the door to speeding up good habit formation.
Researchers found that altering a specific site on the NMDA receptor subunits reduced activity and calcium overload in neurons, potentially leading to new therapies for Alzheimer's and stroke. The discovery offers a promising opportunity for rationally designing drugs with more precise effects.
Structural biologists at CSHL have obtained a precise molecular map of an allosteric inhibitor's binding site in the GluN1/GluN2B NMDA receptor subtype. This discovery enables the design of highly specific compounds with minimal side effects for treating neurological diseases.
The study reveals a unique conformation of the GluN2D subunit that mediates slow neuronal deactivation when bound to glutamate, a key neurotransmitter. This discovery can form a basis for designing new drugs targeting this receptor variant, implicated in various neurodegenerative diseases.
Researchers identified a compound called CIQ that selectively enhances NMDA receptor function, targeting specific subunits believed to contribute to schizophrenia symptoms. This approach aims to compensate for deficits in patients with the condition by manipulating receptor signaling.
A new study published in PLOS ONE suggests that the way the brain processes second-stage learning could be mimicked therapeutically to help people with impaired memory formation. The researchers discovered a new mechanism of learning that is independent of the NMDA receptor, which is currently essential for learning and memory.
A recent study published in The Journal of Neuroscience explains the unique molecular action of memantine, a FDA-approved drug for Alzheimer's disease, that underlies its rare side effects. Memantine improves symptoms by blocking abnormal glutamate activity, sparing synaptic receptors and minimizing harm.
A new study has uncovered a key cellular mechanism that alters brain cell function in Huntington's disease and identified a possible treatment for the disease. Researchers found that excessive NMDA receptors outside synapses lead to reduced brain cell survival signals and disruption in brain function.
Biomedical scientists identify a way to block the 'cell death signal' that triggers brain damage during strokes. The discovery could lead to new therapeutic targets for stroke therapy and potentially improve treatments for other neurodegenerative diseases.
Researchers at LSU Health Sciences Center have identified a novel mechanism that triggers brain damage during stroke, which they believe can be blocked using a high-potency reagent. This breakthrough may provide a new therapeutic target for stroke therapy, offering hope for patients affected by this devastating disease.
Scientists at the Brain Research Centre have discovered a new mechanism for brain cell death after a stroke, involving the over-activation of NMDA receptors and a protein called SREBP-1. A potential therapy has been found, using a drug that stabilizes Insig-1 to inhibit SREBP-1 activity.
Researchers at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory have successfully mapped the molecular structure of a key portion of the NMDA receptor, which is implicated in neurodegenerative diseases. This achievement provides a crucial step towards developing targeted treatments for conditions like Alzheimer's and Parkinson's.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins Medicine found that palmitate marks NMDA receptors for activation, strengthening long-term memory circuits. This reversible process offers possibilities for manipulating memory, potentially enhancing or erasing it.
Research by Wake Forest University School of Medicine suggests that blocking the NMDA receptor in immature rats leads to profound brain injury and disruption of auditory function. This raises concerns about the potential impact of general anesthetics on children's cognitive development.
Researchers at UT Southwestern Medical Center found that applying a second brain protein, Reelin, can prevent excess beta-amyloid from silencing nerves and potentially fighting Alzheimer's disease. The study suggests a promising new tactic against the devastating illness.
A proteomics study found that numbing drugs can have profound effects on the developing nervous system, even after minimal exposure. The study highlights the need for caution when administering sedatives or anesthetics to pregnant women or infants.
Researchers at Newcastle University have identified a key brain link that causes schizophrenia, revealing NMDA receptors play a critical role in modifying brain oscillations. Optimizing receptor function could lead to new treatment approaches for the mental illness, affecting one in 100 people.
Researchers have developed a method to selectively and safely remove memories from mice by over-expressing a protein critical to brain cell communication. This technique eliminates new and old memories alike, with potential applications for treating traumatic war memories or unwanted fears.
Researchers found that alcohol inhibits NMDA receptor ion channels in the prefrontal cortex, disrupting its normal duties and leading to impaired decision-making. This discovery may lead to effective treatments for alcoholism by targeting specific ion channels.
Neuroscientists identified a novel mechanism for long-term learning, revealing how NMDA receptors weaken synapses and impair further learning. The discovery sheds light on the molecular mechanisms underlying learning and memory, potentially leading to a better understanding of Alzheimer's disease.
Johnson and Qian found that NR1/2D receptors respond to weak inputs, strengthening synapses and facilitating learning and memory. Their discovery sheds light on the mechanisms behind diseases such as schizophrenia and Alzheimer's.
Researchers found that copper modulates critical events within the central nervous system, influencing how well we think. Variations in genes coding for Atp7a, a copper transporter, may contribute to differences in thinking among individuals.
Researchers discover altered activity in NRG1-erbB4 and NMDA receptor pairs, suggesting a relationship between the two and contributing to schizophrenia symptoms. The study's findings provide new insights into the molecular mechanisms underlying the disease.
Researchers found that blocking the nerve receptor EP1 significantly reduced brain damage in mice following stroke. The study suggests an alternative to COX inhibitors, which have lethal side effects.
Destabilization of microtubules interferes with NMDA receptor action, affecting cognition and emotion. Dysfunction of this regulation may provide a potential mechanism underlying many mental disorders.
The study found that Apoer2, a receptor interacting with the NMDA receptor, plays a crucial role in regulating synaptic signaling and learning. Mutant mice lacking this receptor had difficulties with learning and memory tasks.
Researchers at Brown University have solved a crucial part of the SAP97 protein's structure, allowing them to develop a molecule that can inhibit it. This breakthrough could lead to effective treatments for cardiac and neurological diseases, including learning and memory disorders and drug addiction.
Newborn rats' brains show decreased NMDA receptor activity in olfactory-deprived side, leading to increased neuronal activation and saliency of early odors. This critical period affects olfactory development and learning.
Researchers have demonstrated that NMDA receptors are actively needed for both associative learning and long-term memory. Disrupting the receptor resulted in difficulties with learning to associate an odor with a footshock, but not with initial learning through training.
Turtles have a natural mechanism to shut off energy-utilizing activities during anoxia, unlike humans. The discovery reveals potential targets for improving outcomes of cerebral stroke and cardiac infarct, as well as developing better anesthetics.
Researchers found that immature inhibitory synapses in the auditory system release glutamate, a neurotransmitter also used by excitatory synapses, to stimulate NMDA receptors during critical brain development. This discovery could provide insight into biological causes of disorders like epilepsy and depression.
The study found that individuals with a family history of alcoholism were less sensitive to ketamine and exhibited altered NMDA receptor function. This suggests a genetic predisposition to vulnerability to heavy drinking in the presence of environmental and social factors.
A team of scientists has identified a protein called Dasm1 that plays a crucial role in regulating dendritic spine growth and synapse maturation. The discovery sheds light on the mechanisms underlying brain development and memory formation, suggesting a potential control molecule for both processes.
Researchers found that monkeys with impaired dopamine receptors were more productive and accurate in their tasks, while those without the receptors procrastinated. The study uses a gene knockdown technique to deplete D2 receptors, leading to improved performance.
Researchers at Duke University Medical Center have discovered a molecular mechanism that allows neurons to adjust their sensitivity to stimulation, a process known as homeostatic plasticity. This discovery provides long-sought clues to how neurons protect themselves during stroke, epilepsy, and spinal cord injury.
Researchers have discovered a new way to prevent cell death in the brain, which could lead to treatments for stroke, schizophrenia, and other neurological disorders. By enhancing the interaction between two proteins, they may be able to design medications that target specific brain functions.
A study by Hopkins researcher Jane McGowan found that hypoglycemia altered the ability of certain neurotransmitter receptors to bind glutamate, a key molecule for normal brain function. The research suggests that hypoglycemia may impact the brain's ability to develop normally, particularly in regards to learning and memory.
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill researchers have found evidence that alcohol inhibits the actions of key proteins called N-methyl-D-aspartic acid (NMDA) receptors in specific regions of the brain. This new interaction affects brain regions involved in memory formation and higher mental functions.
The study examined the impact of alcohol on NMDA receptors in the brain, finding that it inhibits or prevents Fos protein induction. This suggests that alcohol acts by modifying these receptors, which could be linked to the development of symptoms and susceptibility to alcoholism.
A protein called NR2B makes mice more aware of minor pain for longer periods of time, a phenomenon that mimics what happens in people with chronic pain. The researchers suggest that interfering with NR2B in humans might be a strategy for treating chronic pain.
Neurons control connection strength by removing or inserting receptors for glutamate, a key neurotransmitter. The discovery reveals a 'shuttle' system that rapidly regulates receptor numbers, allowing neurons to adjust connection strength.
Researchers at MIT have discovered a key role for the N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor in fetal development of the respiratory system. The study found that abnormal activity of this receptor may lead to problems in newborns, such as Sudden Infant Death Syndrome and breathing difficulties.