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Glutamate receptors in brain development

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Abstract

Brain development encompasses a number of processes including synaptogenesis, migration and synaptic plasticity. These activities are regulated by neurotransmitter receptors such as glutamate receptors. The development, activation and expression of these receptors vary during foetal and neonatal brain development. In this review, it has been shown that the stage or age of brain development, which correlates with the functional activities ongoing in the neonatal brain, determines the cellular distribution and the expression of glutamate receptors in the neonatal brain. Additionally, environmental factors including stress and alcohol may trigger the dysregulation of glutamate receptors during development. This deficit or dysregulation of glutamate receptors may result in developmental neuropathology, some of which may affect later development and normal functioning of the individual.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, School of Medical Sciences, College of Health and Allied Sciences, University of Cape Coast, Cape Coast, Ghana

    Daniel Lawer Egbenya, Eric Aidoo & Gordon Kyei

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  1. Daniel Lawer Egbenya
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  2. Eric Aidoo
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  3. Gordon Kyei
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Correspondence to Daniel Lawer Egbenya.

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Egbenya, D.L., Aidoo, E. & Kyei, G. Glutamate receptors in brain development. Childs Nerv Syst 37, 2753–2758 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00381-021-05266-w

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00381-021-05266-w

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