Frontiers in Neuroscience (Feb 2019)

The Role of NMDA Receptors in Alzheimer’s Disease

  • Jinping Liu,
  • Lirong Chang,
  • Yizhi Song,
  • Hui Li,
  • Yan Wu

DOI
https://doi.org/10.3389/fnins.2019.00043
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 13

Abstract

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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.

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