title: Neurosteroid modulation of N-methyl-D-aspartate receptors: molecular mechanism and behavioral effects.
abstract: Glutamate is the main neurotransmitter released at synapses in the central nervous system of vertebrates. Its excitatory role is mediated through activation of specific glutamatergic ionotropic receptors, among which the N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor subtype has attracted considerable attention in recent years. Substantial progress has been made in elucidating the roles these receptors play under physiological and pathological conditions and in our understanding of the functional, structural, and pharmacological properties of NMDA receptors. Many pharmacological compounds have been identified that affect the activity of NMDA receptors, including neurosteroids. This review summarizes our knowledge about molecular mechanisms underlying the neurosteroid action at NMDA receptors as well as about the action of neurosteroids in animal models of human diseases.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Physiology, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, vvi Videnska 1083, 142 20 Prague 4, Czech Republic.
authors.forename: Miloslav
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Korinek
authors.forename: Vojtech
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Kapras
authors.forename: Vojtech
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Vyklicky
authors.forename: Eva
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Adamusova
authors.forename: Jirina
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Borovska
authors.forename: Karel
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Vales
authors.forename: Ales
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Stuchlik
authors.forename: Martin
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Horak
authors.forename: Hana
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Chodounska
authors.forename: Ladislav
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Vyklicky
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001519:Behavior; D004194:Disease; D006801:Humans; D018377:Neurotransmitter Agents / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism*; D018079:Receptors, GABA / Q000378:metabolism; D016194:Receptors, N-Methyl-D-Aspartate / Q000378:metabolism*; D013256:Steroids / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D018377:Neurotransmitter Agents; D018079:Receptors, GABA; D016194:Receptors, N-Methyl-D-Aspartate; D013256:Steroids