The NMDA receptor subunit GluN2D is a potential target for rapid antidepressant action.

ABSTRACT: Ketamine is the first glutamatergic agent in clinical use for major depression, but its primary target remains unclear. Further research is needed to develop more specific interventions with fewer side effects. Ketamine is a noncompetitive antagonist of the glutamatergic N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor. Here, we show that ketamine preferentially targets GluN2D-containing NMDA receptors on interneurons, and that selective GluN2D antagonism is sufficient to produce rapid antidepressant-like effects. We use ketamine, the selective GluN2C/D inhibitor NAB-14, Grin2d-siRNA and chemogenetic approaches in hippocampal slices and in vivo mice. We find that GluN2D antagonism inhibits NMDAR currents in interneurons but not pyramidal cells, and that GluN2D-mediated recruitment of GABAergic interne

SUBMITTER: Vestring S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12660997 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature