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Glutamate receptor

(Science: physiology) see amino acid receptor superfamily. Glutamate receptors are implicated in many important brain functions including long-term potentiation (LTP).

at least 4 major glutamate gated ion channel subtypes are presently distinguished on pharmacological grounds, named after their most selective agonists: N methyl D aspartate (nmda implicated in memory and learning, neuronal cell death, ischaemia and epilepsy), kainic acid (KA), quisqualate/AMPA and L 2 amino 4 phosphobutyrate (APB). A fifth subtype (APCD) trans 1 amino cyclopentane 1,3 dicarboxylate is a g-protein coupled receptor.