Topic: D-serine

Astrocytes play a crucial role in regulating synaptic strength and orchestrating synaptic plasticity, which is fundamental for learning and memory. However, the specific mechanisms by which astrocytes and their neuroactive transmitters, like D-serine, control these processes remain largely unexplored. D-serine, a co-agonist for the NMDA receptor, has garnered increasing interest as a potential regulatory molecule in synaptic plasticity. Given its activity-dependent release mediated by astrocytes, D-serine is a key player in balancing long-term synaptic depression (LTD) and potentiation (LTP) d

Dopamine (DA) neurons in the substantia nigra are vital for the control of movement. This fundamental function is encoded by the output signal of DA neurons which switches from spontaneous firing to bursts of action potentials. The latter produces an increase of DA release in targeted areas which is associated to locomotion initiation. The impairment of this process, such as DA neurons degeneration, leads to the motor symptoms of Parkinson’s disease. The activation of the N-methyl-D-aspartate receptors (NMDARs), by the simultaneous binding of glutamate and a co-agonist, is indispensable for th