Central administration of the excitotoxin N-methyl-D-aspartate increases nerve growth factor mRNA in vivo

N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor activation in the hippocampal formation is thought to play an important role in learning and memory. This limbic structure contains one of the highest concentrations of NMDA binding sites in the brain. The hippocampal formation also contains high levels of nerve growth factor (NGF) mRNA and protein in the central nervous system. The expression of this neurotrophic factor may be regulated by events involving glutamatergic neurotransmission