Functions of N-methyl-D-aspartate receptors are changed in some schizophrenic brain regions. The cause might be the changed expression of essential subunits or their accelerated internalization.
While the decreased expression of NR1 subunit in mouse caused change in prepulse inhibition of acoustic startle, in rats we have not proved a deficit in the prepulse inhibition. In our work using antisense oligodeoxynucleotide for NMDA-NR1 separately or in combination with NR2A or NR2B, we affected expression of NR1 protein in the rat hippocampus.
The changed expression of NR1 protein was compared with the mentioned parameter of behaviour.