NMDARs receptors hold immense relevance in treatment of neurological diseases. Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory (CSHL) and University of Bristol collaborated to conduct a scrutinous analysis on NMDAR activity. Chemists and biologists from the two entities investigated the action of NMDAR valves on nerve cells. These valves contribute towards inhibiting the flow of electrical signals across the brain. Some of the common diseases that can occur due to NMDAR’s line-of-action are epilepsy, Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, and stroke.
Role of NMDAR Receptors
The researchers detailed their research approach in the latest issue of Nature Communications journal. They developed a chemical compound that can inhibit or control the action or activity of NMDAR receptors. With a proper mechanism to inhibit certain NMDARs while allowing others to function, research can analyze their action. The researchers assert their findings can help in understanding the role of NMDARs in both, healthy and diseased brains. Besides, the role of various classes of receptors can also be established with this research. UBP791 is a novel compound that targets a pair of NMDAR units known as GluN2D and GluN2C. Parkinson’s disease affects these units present in the brain. Therefore, inhibiting the activity of GluN2C and GluN2D can help in studying Parkinson’s disease in greater detail.
Analyzing GluN2D and GluN2C to Develop New Compounds
After analyzing the GluN2D and GluN2C receptors, scientists were able to developing a fresher version of UBP791 compound. The new version is known as UBP1700 with the new one more potent than the previous version. This compound finds use to effectively inhibit target receptors. Moreover, research says, the new compound to cause minimal side effects in patients. The new research has, therefore, emerged as a path breaking feat in neurology.