When hippocampal afferents are stimulated at a slow rate,

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

When hippocampal afferents are stimulated at a slow rate, NMDA receptors are blocked by magnesium ions. This is because NMDA receptors require both glutamate binding and partial depolarization of the postsynaptic membrane to displace the magnesium ion and allow calcium ions to enter the cell. At slow stimulation rates, there is not enough depolarization to displace the magnesium ion, resulting in NMDA receptor blockage.

When Hippocampal Afferents Are Stimulated at a Slow Rate