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- Glossary
Ion channel
Ion channels are embedded in the cell membrane of nerve cells and all other cells in the body. They enable electrically charged particles, known as ions, to pass through the cell membrane into and out of the cell. They can therefore influence the membrane potential of a cell and trigger an action potential. A large number of different ion channels are known. Normally, ion channels have a specific permeability for only one type of ion, e.g., sodium ions or potassium ions. These are referred to as sodium channels or potassium channels, respectively.
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- Glossary
NMDA receptor
NMDA receptors are specialized receptor channels in the membrane of nerve cells that only open under very specific conditions. First, the neurotransmitter glutamate must bind to the receptor, and second, the receptor needs a cofactor such as glycine or D-serine. In addition, the postsynaptic cell membrane must be depolarized so that the magnesium ion (Mg²⁺) normally located in the channel pore is removed. If these conditions are met, an ion channel opens in the center of the receptor and allows calcium ions (Ca²⁺) in particular, but also sodium ions (Na⁺), to flow into the cell, while potassium ions (K⁺) flow out of the cell. The cell can respond to the influx of calcium in a variety of ways. NMDA receptors enable the brain to modify synaptic connections throughout life. They are crucial for forms of synaptic plasticity such as long-term potentiation (LTP) and long-term depression (LTD) and thus play a central role in the formation and storage of memory content.
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