The pharmacological stimulation of NMDA receptors via co-agonist site: an fMRI study in the rat brain

The appropriate display of social behaviors is essential for the well-being, reproductive success and survival of an individual. Deficits in social behavior are associated with impaired N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor-mediated neurotransmission. In this review, we describe recent studies using genetically modified mice and pharmacological approaches which link the impaired functioning of the NMDA receptors, especially of the receptor subunits GluN1, GluN2A and GluN2B, to abnormal social behavior. This abnormal social behavior is expressed as impaired social interaction and communication, deficits in social memory, deficits in sexual and maternal behavior, as well as abnormal or heightened aggression. We also describe the positive effects of pharmacological stimulation of the NMDA receptors on these social deficits. Indeed, pharmacological stimulation of the glycine-binding site either by direct stimulation or by elevating the synaptic glycine levels represents a promising strategy for the normalization of genetically-induced, pharmacologically-induced or innate deficits in social behavior. We emphasize on the importance of future studies investigating the role of subunit-selective NMDA receptor ligands on different types of social behavior to provide a better understanding of the underlying mechanisms, which might support the development of selective tools for the optimized treatment of disorders associated with social deficits.

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Stimulation of N-methyl-?-aspartate receptors induces apoptosis in rat brain

Brain Research ◽

10.1016/s0006-8993(96)00200-4 ◽

1996 ◽

Vol 725 (2) ◽

pp. 166-176 ◽

Cited By ~ 6

Author(s):

Z Qin

Keyword(s):

Rat Brain ◽

Methyl Aspartate ◽

Stimulation Of

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Enhancement of Plasminogen Binding to U937 Cells and Fibrin by Complestatin

Thrombosis and Haemostasis ◽

10.1055/s-0038-1655921 ◽

1997 ◽

Vol 77 (01) ◽

pp. 137-142 ◽

Cited By ~ 20

Author(s):

Kiyoshi Tachikawa ◽

Keiji Hasurni ◽

Akira Endo

Keyword(s):

Binding Site ◽

Binding Affinity ◽

Blood Cells ◽

Aminocaproic Acid ◽

U937 Cells ◽

Biochemical Basis ◽

Equilibrium Binding ◽

Pharmacological Stimulation ◽

Endogenous Fibrinolysis ◽

Stimulation Of

SummaryPlasminogen binds to endothelial and blood cells as well as to fibrin, where the zymogen is efficiently activated and protected from inhibition by α2-antiplasmin. In the present study we have found that complestatin, a peptide-like metabolite of a streptomyces, enhances binding of plasminogen to cells and fibrin. Complestatin, at concentrations ranging from 1 to 5 μM, doubled 125I-plasminogen binding to U937 cells both in the absence and presence of lipoprotein(a), a putative physiological competitor of plasminogen. The binding of 125I-plasminogen in the presence of complestatin was abolished by e-aminocaproic acid, suggesting that the lysine binding site(s) of the plasminogen molecule are involved in the binding. Equilibrium binding analyses indicated that complestatin increased the maximum binding of 125I-plasminogen to U937 cells without affecting the binding affinity. Complestatin was also effective in increasing 125I-plasminogen binding to fibrin, causing 2-fold elevation of the binding at ~1 μM. Along with the potentiation of plasminogen binding, complestatin enhanced plasmin formation, and thereby increased fibrinolysis. These results would provide a biochemical basis for a pharmacological stimulation of endogenous fibrinolysis through a promotion of plasminogen binding to cells and fibrin.

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Induction of long-term potentiation without participation of N-methyl-D-aspartate receptors in kitten visual cortex

Journal of Neurophysiology ◽

10.1152/jn.1991.65.1.20 ◽

1991 ◽

Vol 65 (1) ◽

pp. 20-32 ◽

Cited By ~ 47

Author(s):

Y. Komatsu ◽

S. Nakajima ◽

K. Toyama

Keyword(s):

Nmda Receptors ◽

Stimulus Frequency ◽

Low Frequency ◽

Nmda Antagonist ◽

Long Term Potentiation ◽

Conditioning Stimulation ◽

Postsynaptic Potential ◽

Term Potentiation ◽

Stimulation Of

1. Intracellular recording was made from layer II-III cells in slice preparations of kitten (30-40 days old) visual cortex. Low-frequency (0.1 Hz) stimulation of white matter (WM) usually evoked an excitatory postsynaptic potential (EPSP) followed by an inhibitory postsynaptic potential (IPSP). The postsynaptic potentials (PSPs) showed strong dependence on stimulus frequency. Early component of EPSP and IPSP evoked by weak stimulation both decreased monotonically at frequencies greater than 0.5-1 Hz. Strong stimulation similarly depressed the early EPSP at higher frequencies (greater than 2 Hz) and replaced the IPSP with a late EPSP, which had a maximum amplitude in the stimulus frequency range of 2-5 Hz. 2. Very weak WM stimulation sometimes evoked EPSPs in isolation from IPSPs. The falling phase of the EPSP revealed voltage dependence characteristic to the responses mediated by N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptors and was depressed by application of an NMDA antagonist DL-2-amino-5-phosphonovalerate (APV), whereas the rising phase of the EPSP was insensitive to APV. 3. The early EPSPs followed by IPSPs were insensitive to APV but were replaced with a slow depolarizing potential by application of a non-NMDA antagonist 6,7-dinitro-quinoxaline-2,3-dione (DNQX), indicating that the early EPSP is mediated by non-NMDA receptors. The slow depolarization was mediated by NMDA receptors because it was depressed by membrane hyperpolarization or addition of APV. 4. The late EPSP evoked by higher-frequency stimulation was abolished by APV, indicating that it is mediated by NMDA receptors, which are located either on the recorded cell or on presynaptic cells to the recorded cells. 5. Long-term potentiation (LTP) of EPSPs was examined in cells perfused with solutions containing 1 microM bicuculline methiodide (BIM), a gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) antagonist. WM was stimulated at 2 Hz for 15 min as a conditioning stimulus to induce LTP, and the resultant changes were tested by low-frequency (0.1 Hz) stimulation of WM. 6. LTP of early EPSPs occurred in more than one-half of the cells (8/13) after strong conditioning stimulation. The rising slope of the EPSP was increased 1.6 times on average. 7. To test involvement of NMDA receptors in the induction of LTP in the early EPSP, the effect of conditioning stimulation was studied in a solution containing 100 microM APV, which was sufficient to block completely synaptic transmission mediated by NMDA receptors. LTP occurred in the same frequency and magnitude as in control solution.

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