Cellular Regulation of Glutamate Receptors in Central Neurons

Our brain houses the network of 10 billion neurons,
and glutamate is the major neurotransmitter
mediating rapid and excitatory synaptic
transmission. Interestingly, glutamate receptor
channels travel between intracellular compartments
in response to various extracellular stimulations.
Changes in the levels or localization of glutamate
receptor profoundly affect synaptic activity and
signal transduction. Neurological disorders, such as
schizophrenia, depression and stroke, result from
aberrant glutamate signaling in certain brain
regions. Therefore, research on glutamate receptor
is of particular interest in understanding brain
function under normal and pathological conditions.
This book dissects three cellular aspects of how
glutamate receptors are modulated in cortical
neurons: neuromodulator-mediated signaling,
cytoskeleton-based delivery of ion channels and
protease-dependent degradation of receptors.
Knowledge here may shed light on identifying new
drug targets for treating brain disorders that
associated with impaired glutamate system.