Glutamate Receptors

Also known as:  Glutamergic Receptor System  Formerly known as:  M-Methyl-D-Aspartate Receptors (NMDA Receptors)

Glutamate Receptors are a group of Neurotransmitter Receptors.  They are unique because their function is mediated not only by the interaction between the Receptor and Neurotransmitters acid, but is also dependent on the membrane potential.  Therefore, activation of Glutamate Receptors requires additional synaptic inputs (i.e. Glutamate Receptors have a "conditional" nature to their activation - which is highly unusual).  The Glutamate Receptor is actually a large structure that is really a group of receptors on the one large structure.  It has separate docking sites for various substances.

 AMPA Receptors

 Kainate Receptors

 N-methyl-D-aspartate Receptors