Glutamate receptors and persistent pain: targeting forebrain NR2B subunits.
Glutamate is the fast excitatory transmitter in mammalian brains. It binds to two major classes of glutamate receptors: ionotropic and metabotropic receptors. Ionotropic receptors contain three subtype receptors, including N-methyl-d-aspartate (NMDA) receptors. Activation of NMDA receptors is important for initiating long-lasting changes in synapses. In the forebrain structures that are known to contribute to the formation and storage of information, NMDA receptors have an important role in persistent inflammatory pain by reinforcing glutamate sensory transmission. Mice with enhanced forebrain NMDA receptor function demonstrate selective enhancement of persistent pain and allodynia. Drugs targeting NMDA NR2B subunits in the forebrain could serve as a new class of medicine for controlling persistent pain in humans.
Zhuo
Min
M
Department of Anesthesiology, Washington University School of Medicine, Campus Box 8054, 660 S. Euclid Ave., St Louis, MO 63110, USA. Zhuom@morpheus.wustl.edu
D000818:Animals; D002908:Chronic Disease; D020650:Combinatorial Chemistry Techniques; D005246:Feedback / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D010146:Pain / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000503:physiopathology*; D016548:Prosencephalon / Q000502:physiology*; D017470:Receptors, Glutamate / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D016194:Receptors, N-Methyl-D-Aspartate / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D013116:Spinal Cord / Q000503:physiopathology; D009435:Synaptic Transmission
C121001:NR2B NMDA receptor; D017470:Receptors, Glutamate; D016194:Receptors, N-Methyl-D-Aspartate