%A CHU Shi-feng, CHEN Nai-hong %T Distinct Roles and Modulations of Synaptic and Extrasynaptic NMDA Receptors %0 Journal Article %D 2011 %J ACTA NEUROPHARMACOLOGICA %R %P 40-48 %V 1 %N 5 %U {http://actanp.hebeinu.edu.cn/CN/abstract/article_50.shtml} %8 2011-10-26 %X N-Methyl-D-Aspartate receptor（NMDA receptor） has been considered as a double-edged sword in central nervous system. On the one hand, it mediates the calcium influx, promotes the synaptic plasticity and improves the neural excitatory. On the other hand, excessive opening of NMDA receptor causes calcium overload in neurons, disturbing the homeostasis and inducing the apoptosis. However, growing number of studies demonstrated that the distinct roles of NMDA receptor do not totally depend on its opening degree, but also on its locations where different signaling pathways are triggered. Synaptic NMDA receptors activate the nuclear calcium signaling pathways to protect the neurons; whereas activation of extrasyanptic NMDA receptor starts the apoptosis or death pathway. The imbalance between the two pathways accounts partially for pathogenesis in neural diseases, such as Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease and Huntington’s disease. In conclusion, the currently available evidence has provided a new clue for the treatment of neurodegenerative disease.