Blockade of NMDA receptors and apoptotic neurodegeneration in the developing brain

Programmed cell death (apoptosis) occurs during normal development of the c entral nervous system. However, the mechanisms that determine which neurons will succumb to apoptosis are poorly understood. Blockade of N-methyl-D-as partate (NMDA) glutamate receptors for only a few hours during late fetal o r early neonatal Life triggered widespread apoptotic neurodegeneration in t he developing rat brain, suggesting that the excitatory neurotransmitter gl utamate, acting at NMDA receptors, controls neuronal survival. These findin gs may have relevance to human neurodevelopmental disorders involving prena tal (drug-abusing mothers) or postnatal (pediatric anesthesia) exposure to drugs that block NMDA receptors.