N-Methyl-D-aspartic acid
N-Methyl-D-aspartic acid (pronunciation: en-meth-uh-l-dee-as-par-tic acid), often abbreviated as NMDA, is a synthetic substance that mimics the action of glutamate, the naturally occurring excitatory neurotransmitter in the brain.
Etymology
The term "N-Methyl-D-aspartic acid" is derived from its chemical structure. The "N" refers to the nitrogen atom, "Methyl" refers to the methyl group (-CH3) attached to the nitrogen, "D" refers to the configuration of the aspartic acid, and "aspartic acid" is a type of amino acid.
Function
NMDA is a specific type of glutamate receptor, which plays a crucial role in learning and memory by controlling the strength of signals between neurons in the brain. It is also involved in neuroplasticity, the ability of the brain to change and adapt in response to experience.
Clinical Significance
Abnormal NMDA receptor activity is associated with a range of neurological and psychiatric disorders, including schizophrenia, depression, Alzheimer's disease, and epilepsy. NMDA receptor antagonists, which block the action of NMDA, are used in the treatment of these conditions.
Related Terms
- Glutamate: The main excitatory neurotransmitter in the brain, which NMDA mimics.
- Neurotransmitter: Chemicals that transmit signals from one neuron to another.
- Neuron: A nerve cell that is the basic building block of the nervous system.
- Neuroplasticity: The ability of the brain to change and adapt in response to experience.
- Schizophrenia: A chronic and severe mental disorder that affects how a person thinks, feels, and behaves.
- Depression: A common and serious medical illness that negatively affects how you feel, the way you think and how you act.
- Alzheimer's disease: A progressive disease that destroys memory and other important mental functions.
- Epilepsy: A central nervous system (neurological) disorder in which brain activity becomes abnormal, causing seizures or periods of unusual behavior, sensations, and sometimes loss of awareness.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on N-Methyl-D-aspartic acid
- Wikipedia's article - N-Methyl-D-aspartic acid
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