Roles of N-Methyl-D-Aspartate Receptors (NMDARs) in Epilepsy

Shuang Chen; Da Xu; Liu Fan; Zhi Fang; Xiufeng Wang; Man Li

doi:10.3389/fnmol.2021.797253

Roles of N-Methyl-D-Aspartate Receptors (NMDARs) in Epilepsy

Front Mol Neurosci. 2022 Jan 7:14:797253. doi: 10.3389/fnmol.2021.797253. eCollection 2021.

Authors

Shuang Chen¹, Da Xu¹, Liu Fan¹, Zhi Fang¹, Xiufeng Wang¹, Man Li¹

Affiliation

¹ Department of Neurology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China.

Abstract

Epilepsy is one of the most common neurological disorders characterized by recurrent seizures. The mechanism of epilepsy remains unclear and previous studies suggest that N-methyl-D-aspartate receptors (NMDARs) play an important role in abnormal discharges, nerve conduction, neuron injury and inflammation, thereby they may participate in epileptogenesis. NMDARs belong to a family of ionotropic glutamate receptors that play essential roles in excitatory neurotransmission and synaptic plasticity in the mammalian CNS. Despite numerous studies focusing on the role of NMDAR in epilepsy, the relationship appeared to be elusive. In this article, we reviewed the regulation of NMDAR and possible mechanisms of NMDAR in epilepsy and in respect of onset, development, and treatment, trying to provide more evidence for future studies.

Keywords: CREB; D-serine; N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor; anti-NMDAR encephalitis; epigenomics; epilepsy; excitotoxicity; glutamate.

Publication types

Review