NMDA Receptor Activity in Neuropsychiatric Disorders

Abstract

N-Methyl-d-aspartate (NMDA) receptors play a variety of physiologic roles and their proper signaling is essential for cellular homeostasis. Any disruption in this pathway, leading to either enhanced or decreased activity, may result in the manifestation of neuropsychiatric pathologies such as schizophrenia, mood disorders, substance induced psychosis, Huntington’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease, and neuropsychiatric systemic lupus erythematosus. Here, we explore the notion that the overlap in activity of at least one biochemical pathway, the NMDA receptor pathway, may be the link to understanding the overlap in psychotic symptoms between diseases. This review intends to present a broad overview of those neuropsychiatric disorders for which alternations in NMDA receptor activity is prominent thus suggesting that continued direction of pharmaceutical intervention to this pathway may present a viable option for managing symptoms.

Autism throughout genetics: Perusal of the implication of ion channels

“…N ‐methyl‐ d ‐aspartate receptors (NMDAR) are well known to be associated with psychiatric disorders (Lakhan, Caro, & Hadzimichalis, 2013). With no surprise, they were also linked to ASD risk (Lee, Choi, & Kim, 2015).…”

Alzheimer’s disease and gut microbiota

“…NMDA receptor also plays a key role in the formation of neuronal circuits. Evidences indicated that NMDA receptor is vital for learning and memory (Lakhan et al, 2013;Li and Tsien, 2009). Researches show that there is also a certain relationship between gut microbiota and NMDA receptor expression.…”

Psicosis inducida por fármacos antituberculosos: un caso asociado a cicloserina.

“…Adicionalmente, un brote previo de psicosis inducida por un fármaco antituberculoso aumenta el riesgo de padecerla con otro medicamento antimicobacteriano (4,6). En el caso que discutimos, es relevante el largo tiempo previo de consumo de alcohol, marihuana y pasta básica de cocaína por nuestro paciente: los cambios neurobiológicos que acarrea la dependencia a estas sustancias psicoactivas, con alteraciones en la sensibilidad de los receptores de glutamato y dopamina, legítimamente deben considerarse como probables factores implicados en el desarrollo de la sintomatología psicótica en el presente ejemplo (8).…”

“…Dado que el receptor NMDA de glutamato desempeña un rol general en la regulación de transducción de señales en múltiples regiones del cerebro (con presencia prominente de receptores postsinápticos NMDA en las estructuras límbicas) cualquier alteración de su funcionamiento puede redundar en una gran variedad de patologías neuropsiquiátricas: desde la isquemia cerebral a la epilepsia, pasando por diversas enfermedades neurodegenerativas, la esquizofrenia, varios trastornos de ansiedad y el dolor neuropático (8). No se ha dilucidado plenamente aún el mecanismo fisiopatológico por el cual la cicloserina contribuye a la emergencia de síntomas psicóticos en determinados individuos.…”