Abstract
AMPA receptors (AMPARs) are critical for mediating glutamatergic synaptic transmission and plasticity, thus playing a major role in the molecular machinery underlying cellular substrates of memory and learning. Their expression pattern, transport and regulatory mechanisms have been extensively studied in the hippocampus, but their functional properties in other brain regions remain poorly understood. Interestingly, electrophysiological and molecular evidence has confirmed a prominent role of AMPARs in the regulation of hypothalamic function. This review summarizes the existing evidence on AMPAR-mediated transmission in the hypothalamus, where they are believed to orchestrate the role of glutamatergic transmission in autonomous, neuroendocrine function, body homeostasis, and social behavior.
Highlights
Glutamatergic α-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazole propionic acid receptors (AMPARs) are central to regulate excitatory synaptic transmission in the central nervous system (CNS)
Most studies assaying AMPAR function have focused on a reduced number of brain areas, AMPAR Function in the Hypothalamus predominantly regions associated with high-order functions such as the hippocampus and the cortex, or midbrain areas involved in reward and goal directed behaviors
This review summarizes the current knowledge on AMPAR function in the hypothalamus, and contextualizes it using the detailed mechanisms described in hippocampal synapses
Summary
Glutamatergic α-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazole propionic acid receptors (AMPARs) are central to regulate excitatory synaptic transmission in the central nervous system (CNS). These features have hindered the unambiguous identification of hypothalamic synaptic and plasticity properties which are highly influenced by glutamatergic transmission (Iremonger et al, 2010), many questions regarding glutamate receptors expression, composition and function remain to be elucidated in this brain area.
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