6. EAA and Excitotoxicity Flashcards
EAA stands for excitatory amino acids, what are the two main EAAs?
glutamate and aspartate
EAAs are located throughout the CNS. NMDA receptors (N-methyl-D-aspartate is exogenous). EAAs can activate the receptor leading to?
influx of calcium
***MODULATED by glycine
What is needed to bind to the NMDA receptor in order for the influx of Ca to occur?
both glycine and EAA
What is within the NMDA receptor and blocks the channel at resting membrane potential, not allowing the passage of Calcium?
Mg
becuase of the Mg in the NMDA receptor, this makes the NMDA receptor for EAAs what kind?
ionotropic ligand AND voltage gated
Within the NMDA receptor, there is also a PCP binding site which what binds and does what?
horse tranquilizer (PCP) binds and blocks the channel and influx of Ca
The non-NMDA receptors are ionotropic as well but primary have an influx of what?
Na
The AMPA receptors when bound by EAAs or exogenous AMPA will allow the influx of what, leading to what?
Na, and an EPSP
What would benzodiazepines cause if the bound to the non-NMDA AMPA receptor?
reduces the amount of sodium that enters
Kainate receptors are the second type of non-NMDA receptors which allows the influx of what when EAAs bind?
Na and SOME Ca
Non-NMDA receptors produce an EPSP with short onset/duration while NMDA receptors produce what?
long EPSP with long duration because lots of Ca influx and Mg in the way
What is the mechanism for how NMDA receptors depolrize in order to displace the Mg blocking the channel so Ca can come inside?
BOTH non and NMDA receptors are on the postsynaptic membrane and are both activated by EAA. Non NMDA opens and Na comes in, causing depolarization and Ca is able to enter NMDA channel
The functions of non-NMDA receptors are primary sensory afferents and upper motoneurons. What about NMDA receptor functions?
CRITICAL in short/long term memory formation
synaptic plasticity
EAA also have metabotropic receptors which are divided into 3 groups, which are coupled with what G protein?
Group 1: Gq
Group 2/3: Gi
Metabotropic receptors for EAAs exist pre and post synaptically, presynaptically for control of NT release and postsynaptically for? (3)
learning memory and motor systems
To limit the actions of EAAs, glial cells nearby the synaptic cleft will do what?
Take up the EAAs and make them into Glutamine (LIKE GABA