C. W. Cotman, Leslie L. Iversen
Jul 1, 1987
Citations
5
Influential Citations
504
Citations
Quality indicators
Journal
Trends in Neurosciences
Abstract
Abstract l-Glutamate was first proposed as a neuroexcitatory agent some thirty years ago 1,2 , but in the past few years the study of excitatory amino acids has progressed rapidly from the identification of putative transmitters to the elucidation of their involvement in development, learning and neuropathology. Progress has been particularly rapid in understanding the N-methyl-d-aspartate (NMDA) class of glutamate receptor. NMDA receptors endow synaptic transmission in the mammalian CNS with special properties, allowing such receptors to play a key role in plasticity during development and learning. These receptors may also underlie the neurotoxic actions of glutamate. Research on NMDA receptors epitomizes the modern multidisciplinary approach to neuroscience. This issue focuses on the NMDA receptor and brings together a ‘snapshot' of the new information that has inspired so much recent excitement in this field.