Ca²⁺ influx triggers signaling cascades that drive AMPA insertion or removal, activates CREB and BDNF pathways, shapes spine growth and developmental wiring, and causes excitotoxicity when excessive
NMDA receptor signaling is reduced in schizophrenia
Drugs with this mechanism (5)
Aspartate — Excitatory amino acid and NMDA-receptor agonist.
Dehydroepi androsterone — Adrenal precursor of testosterone and estradiol, and a sigma-1 agonist in the central nervous system.
DHEAS — The sulfated, circulating reservoir form of DHEA; a negative modulator at GABA-A.
Glutamate — The primary excitatory neurotransmitter of the CNS.
N-methylD-aspartate — The synthetic agonist that names the NMDA glutamate receptor.