Physiological Roles of Non-Neuronal NMDA Receptors

Glutamate serves as the primary excitatory CNS neurotransmitter by activating a range of neuronal receptors, including NMDARs. Neuronal (n)NMDARs are extensively characterized. However, at least 12 additional cell types express NMDARs in neural and non-neural tissues. Awareness of these receptors has lagged behind nNMDARs but important trends are developing. Non-neuronal NMDARs are regulated by endogenous agonists, glutamate, quinolinic acid,...