The function of the NMDA-receptor during normal brain aging.
Age-related changes of N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptors have been found in cortical areas and in the hippocampus of many species. On the basis of a variety of experimental observations it has been suggested that the decrease of NMDA-receptor density might be one of the causative factors of the cognitive decline with aging. Based on these findings several strategies have been developed to improve cognition by compensating the NMDA-receptor deficits in aging. The most promising approaches are the indirect activation of glutamatergic neurotransmission by agonists of the glycine site or the restoration of the age-related deficit of receptor density by several nootropics.
Müller
W E
WE
Department of Psychopharmacology, Central Institute of Mental Health, Mannheim, Federal Republic of Germany.
Stoll
S
S
Scheuer
K
K
Meichelböck
A
A
D000375:Aging / Q000502:physiology* / Q000523:psychology*; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D000818:Animals; D001362:Avoidance Learning; D001921:Brain / Q000254:growth & development / Q000502:physiology*; D002540:Cerebral Cortex / Q000254:growth & development / Q000502:physiology; D003071:Cognition; D016291:Dizocilpine Maleate / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D006624:Hippocampus / Q000254:growth & development / Q000502:physiology; D008560:Membrane Fluidity; D051379:Mice; D008815:Mice, Inbred Strains; D016548:Prosencephalon / Q000254:growth & development / Q000378:metabolism; D011930:Reaction Time; D016194:Receptors, N-Methyl-D-Aspartate / Q000502:physiology*; D009435:Synaptic Transmission
D016194:Receptors, N-Methyl-D-Aspartate; D016291:Dizocilpine Maleate