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. 1989 Jul;86(13):5183–5187. doi: 10.1073/pnas.86.13.5183

Visual responses in adult cat visual cortex depend on N-methyl-D-aspartate receptors.

K D Miller 1, B Chapman 1, M P Stryker 1
PMCID: PMC297582  PMID: 2567996

Abstract

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.

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Selected References

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