PSY397H5 Lecture Notes - Lecture 7: Nmda Receptor Antagonist, Nmda Receptor, Magnesium
Document Summary
It tells us that two receptors connect at the synapse. If stimulus 1 and stimulus 2 coincide (or hits the synaptic connection), we have an intense strengthening of the connection. Nmda receptor lies on the post-synaptic membrane. It is a channel that once activated it opens. If glutamate opens and the channel attempts to open but cannot, only if the inside (cytoplasm) becomes depolarized will it open. Nmda receptor detects co-occurrence of stimulus 1 and stimulus 2. If the 2 stimuli do not co-occur, the nmda receptor on post-synaptic membrane will close. If there is no post-synaptic depolarization the channel is blocked by magnesium. If the channel is blocked, then there will be a dull neuronal communication. Magnesium block is removed via back propagating ap in the nmda. When postsynaptic depolarization precedes presynaptic nt release synaptic depression occurs. If depolarization occurs in the post synaptic membrane before pre-synaptic we get a reduction in epsp.
