Identity of endogenous NMDAR glycine site agonist in amygdala is determined by synaptic activity level.

ABSTRACT: Mechanisms of N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor-dependent synaptic plasticity contribute to the acquisition and retention of conditioned fear memory. However, synaptic rules which may determine the extent of N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor activation in the amygdala, a key structure implicated in fear learning, remain unknown. Here we show that the identity of the N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor glycine site agonist at synapses in the lateral nucleus of the amygdala may depend on the level of synaptic activation. Tonic activation of N-methyl-D-aspartate receptors at synapses in the amygdala under low activity conditions is supported by ambient D-serine, whereas glycine may be released from astrocytes in response to afferent impulses. The release of glycine may decode the increases in afferent acti

SUBMITTER: Li Y 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3641574 | biostudies-literature | 2013

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature