Chaired by Katherine Roche, NINDS

Balcony B, Natcher Conference Center

Glutamate is the major excitatory neurotransmitter in the mammalian central nervous system. At excitatory synapses, glutamate is released from the presynaptic terminal into the synaptic cleft where it binds to both pre- and post-synaptic glutamate receptors. It has become clear that the differential trafficking and localization of the various subtypes of glutamate receptors are important factors regulating excitatory neurotransmission and synaptic plasticity. In this symposium, we will hear the latest research on this topic from intramural scientists who are studying the regulation of glutamate receptors and excitatory neurotransmission using a variety of approaches .

Program:

Rapid Regulation of Synaptic AMPA Receptor Function by PICK1 during Long-term Synaptic Plasticity
John Isaac, NINDS

Bidirectional Plasticity of Mossy Fiber-interneuron Synapses
Chris McBain, NICHD

Mechanisms Regulating the Synaptic Localization of NMDA Receptors Containing the NR2B Subunit
Kate Prybylowski, NIDCD

Trafficking and Functional Regulation of Metabotropic Glutamate Receptors
Katherine Roche, NINDS