Structural properties of the NMDA receptor and the design of neuroprotective therapies.
NMDA receptors are linked to neuronal loss in stroke and neurodegeneration because their activation can trigger excitotoxic Ca(2+) dysregulation. Accordingly, NMDA receptor antagonists are neuroprotective, providing a rationale for their clinical application. However, side effects often outweigh benefits. Herein we highlight structural properties in receptors that are used in drug development.
Gerber
A M
AM
Department of Neuroscience & Physiology, SUNY Upstate Medical University, 750 East Adams Street, Syracuse, New York 13210, USA.
Vallano
M L
ML
D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D015195:Drug Design; D018698:Glutamic Acid / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D018696:Neuroprotective Agents / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000494:pharmacology*; D016194:Receptors, N-Methyl-D-Aspartate / Q000737:chemistry*
D018696:Neuroprotective Agents; D016194:Receptors, N-Methyl-D-Aspartate; D018698:Glutamic Acid