Date of Award

1-1-2017

Language

English

Document Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

College/School/Department

Department of Chemistry

Content Description

1 online resource (ii, xii, 100 pages) : illustrations (some color)

Dissertation/Thesis Chair

Li Niu

Committee Members

Daniele Fabris, Jayanti Pande, Alexander Shekhtman, Ting Wang

Keywords

Electrophysiology, Patch clamp, Benzodiazepines, Glutamic acid, Neurotransmitter receptors

Subject Categories

Biochemistry | Physical Chemistry

Abstract

AMPA receptors are a subtype of the ionotropic glutamate receptor family. They are ligand-gated or glutamate-activated, transmembrane ion channels that mediate the majority of excitatory synaptic transmission in the central nervous system. AMPA receptors are essential for neuronal development and brain functions, including learning and memory. Over-activation of calcium permeable AMPA receptors has been linked to some neurological diseases such as stroke, Alzheimer’s disease and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Inhibitors of glutamate receptors are therefore drug candidates for the potential treatment of these neurological diseases. One of the most promising classes of AMPA receptor antagonists is 2,3-benzodiazepine derivatives, thought to be a group of noncompetitive inhibitors.

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