NMDA receptors and synaptic plasticity in the anterior cingulate cortex. (1st October 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Chen, Qi-Yu; Li, Xu-Hui; Zhuo, Min
• Is Part Of: Neuropharmacology. Volume 197(2021)
• Publication Date: 2021-10-01
• Subjects: NMDAR -- ACC -- post-LTP -- pre-LTP -- LTD; NMDAR N-methyl-d-aspartate receptor -- AMPAR 2-amino-3-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-isoxazol-4-yl propanoic acid receptor -- KAR kainate receptor -- ACC anterior cingulate cortex -- LTP long-term potentiation -- post-LTP postsynaptic LTP -- pre-LTP presynaptic LTP -- LTD long-term depression -- AC1 adenyl cyclase subtype 1; Neuropsychopharmacology -- Periodicals; Autonomic Agents -- Periodicals; Neuropsychopharmacologie -- Périodiques; Neuropsychopharmacology; Periodicals; Electronic journals; 615.78
• DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2021.108749
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0028-3908

Abstract

Abstract: The anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) plays an important role in pain modulation, and pain-related emotional disorders. In the ACC, two major forms of long-term potentiation (LTP) coexist in excitatory synapses and lay the basis of chronic pain and pain-related emotional disorders. The induction of postsynaptic LTP is dependent on the activation of postsynaptic NMDA receptors (NMDARs), while the presynaptic LTP is NMDAR-independent. Long-term depression (LTD) can also be divided into two types according to the degree of sensitivity to the inhibition of NMDARs. NMDAR heteromers containing GluN2A and GluN2B act as key molecules in both the NMDAR-dependent postsynaptic LTP and LTD. Additionally, NMDARs also exist in presynaptic terminals and modulate the evoked and spontaneous transmitter release. From a translational point of view, inhibiting subtypes of NMDARs and/or downstream signaling proteins may provide potential drug targets for chronic pain and its related emotional disorders. This article is part of the special Issue on 'Glutamate Receptors –NMDA receptors'. Highlights: The ACC is involved in pain modulation, chronic pain and pain-related emotions. In the ACC, GluN2A/2B play significant roles in the post-LTP, while GluN2C/2D may be involved in presynaptic modulation. In the ACC, LTP and LTD can be classified by the dependency of NMDAR. GluN2B and its downstream AC1 act as potential drug targets for treating chronic pain.