Comment on "Role of NMDA receptor subtypes in governing the direction of hippocampal synaptic plasticity"

Science. 2004 Sep 24;305(5692):1912; author reply. doi: 10.1126/science.1102399.

Abstract

Liu et al (Science, 304:1021-4) report that NMDA receptors containing NR2A and NR2B subunits are selectively coupled to long-term potentiation (LTP) and long-term depression (LTD) respectively. Because NR2B (but not NR2A) receptors occur outside synapses, and can be activated by glutamate spillover, this principle may underlie synaptic homeostasis.

Publication types

  • Comment

MeSH terms

  • Glutamic Acid / metabolism
  • Hippocampus / physiology
  • Long-Term Potentiation*
  • Long-Term Synaptic Depression*
  • Receptors, N-Methyl-D-Aspartate / metabolism*
  • Synapses / physiology*

Substances

  • NR2A NMDA receptor
  • NR2B NMDA receptor
  • Receptors, N-Methyl-D-Aspartate
  • Glutamic Acid