Through what receptors does glutamate signal?
- α-Amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionic acid (AMPA) receptors—open directly and pass principally Na + and K + .
- N -methyl- d -aspartate (NMDA) receptors—require depolarization from AMPA receptor activation to pass Na, K, and Ca ions. If excessively stimulated, NMDA receptors may contribute to Ca 2+ -dependent processes that mediate neuronal injury.
