Open AccessVisual responses in adult cat visual cortex depend on N-methyl-D-aspartate receptors.
Author(s) -
Kenneth D. Miller,
Barbara Chapman,
MP Stryker
Publication year - 1989
Publication title -
proceedings of the national academy of sciences of the united states of america
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 5.011
H-Index - 771
eISSN - 1091-6490
pISSN - 0027-8424
DOI - 10.1073/pnas.86.13.5183
Subject(s) - nmda receptor , kainate receptor , 2 amino 5 phosphonovalerate , neuroscience , receptor , glutamate receptor , visual cortex , long term depression , stimulation , biology , chemistry , ampa receptor , excitatory amino acid antagonists , biochemistry
We have investigated the role of the N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor, a subtype of glutamate receptor, in the responses of cells in adult cat visual cortex. After intracortical infusion of the NMDA receptor antagonist DL-2-amino-5-phosphonovalerate (DL-APV) for one day, iontophoretic responses to NMDA, to kainate, and to quisqualate revealed a receptor blockade specific to NMDA receptors and extending several millimeters from the cannula. In this region, neuronal responses to visual stimulation were profoundly suppressed, in a manner strongly correlated with the degree of NMDA receptor blockade. Neither NMDA receptor blockade nor activity suppression was caused by the inactive stereoisomer L-APV. Hence, we conclude that NMDA receptors make a major contribution to normal excitatory transmission in adult visual cortex.