N-Methyl-D-aspartic acid

Chemical Properties

white to off-white crystalline powder

Uses

NMDA agonist

Uses

NMDA（N-Methyl-D-aspartic acid）is a specific agonist for NMDA receptor mimicking the action of glutamate, the neurotransmitter which normally acts at that receptor.

Definition

ChEBI: An aspartic acid derivative having an N-methyl substituent and D-configuration.

General Description

N-Methyl-D-aspartic acid (NMDA) is an endogenously generated molecule in rat nervous system and endocrine glands. NMDA is present at low level (nmol/g) in the adenohypophysis, hypothalamus, brain, and testis. NMDA is derived from D-Asp by an S-adenosylmethionine-dependent enzyme also referred to as NMDA synthase.

Biological Activity

Prototypic NMDA receptor agonist. Also available as part of the Mixed NMDA Receptor Tocriset™ .

Biochem/physiol Actions

Excitotoxic amino acid. Prototypic agonist at the NMDA-type glutamate receptor that regulates ion channels; important in long-term potentiation, ischemia, and epilepsy.

storage

Room temperature

References

[1] watkins jc, jane de. the glutamate story. br j pharmacol. 2006 jan;147 suppl 1:s100-8.
[2] lafon-cazal m, pietri s, culcasi m, bockaert j. nmda-dependent superoxide production and neurotoxicity. nature. 1993 aug 5;364(6437):535-7.