NMDARs in neurological diseases: a potential therapeutic target.

N-methyl-D-aspartate ionotropic glutamate receptor (NMDARs) is a ligand-gated ion channel that plays a critical role in excitatory neurotransmission, brain development, synaptic plasticity associated with memory formation, central sensitization during persistent pain, excitotoxicity and neurodegenerative diseases in the central nervous system (CNS). Within iGluRs, NMDA receptors have been the most actively investigated for their role in neurological diseases, especially neurodegenerative pathologies such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases. It has been demonstrated that excessive activation of NMDA receptors (NMDARs) plays a key role in mediating some aspects of synaptic dysfunction in several CNS disorders, so extensive research has been directed on the discovery of compounds that are able to reduce NMDARs activity.

Atorvastatin protects GABAergic and dopaminergic neurons in the nigrostriatal system in an experimental rat model of transient focal cerebral ischemia.

Introduction: Cerebral ischemia is the third leading cause of death and the primary cause of permanent disability worldwide. Atorvastatin is a promising drug with neuroprotective effects that may be useful for the treatment of stroke. However, the effects of atorvastatin on specific neuronal populations within the nigrostriatal system following cerebral ischemia are unknown.