What is N-Methyl D Aspartate (NMDA) - Meaning and definition

Published by Roberto Wenk. Reviewed by Alison Ramsey. Last updated date: January 14, 2019.

The N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor is a glutamate receptor and ion channel protein found in nerve cells. It is activated when glutamate and glycine (or D-serine) bind to it, and when activated it allows positively charged ions to flow through the cell membrane.
The NMDA receptor is very important for controlling synaptic plasticity and memory function.

The activity of the NMDA receptor is affected by many psychoactive drugs, such as phencyclidine, alcohol (ethanol), and dextromethorphan. The anesthetic effects of the drugs ketamine and nitrous oxide are partially because of their effects on NMDA receptor activity.

See reference for details.

Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. Internet. Accessed on January 18, 2016.

Published by Roberto Wenk. Reviewed by Alison Ramsey. Last updated date: January 14, 2019.

NMDA is a glutamate receptor that is activated in response to repetitive stimuli.
They have been implicated in the spinal events leading to central sensitization or “wind-up.”

Suzuki R, Sikandar S, Dickenson AH. Nociception: basic principles. In: Bruera ED, Portenoy RK (eds). Cancer Pain Assessment and Management. Cambridge University Press. Cambridge 2010. p. 6.

To cite

N-Methyl D Aspartate (NMDA). IAHPC Pallipedia. https://pallipedia.org/n-methyl-d-aspartate-nmda/. Accessed