Abstract: Studies in the physiological psychology field have been focused on the brain mechanisms underlying stress-induced behavioral changes. The role of NMDA receptor (NR) in mediating stress-induced behavioral changes has gained more and more attention. NR is important for synaptic plasticity, brain development, and learning and memory. It has been shown that different stressors up-regulate the level or activity of NR in some brain regions, such as hippocampus and amygdale. Injection of the NR antagonist into these regions prior to stress can reduce stress-induced anxiety and depression, suggesting that NR are important mediators of stress-induced behavioral changes. N-methyl-D-aspartate receptors are important substance related closely with stress response and participate the process of brain damage caused by stress. N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor antagonists may be useful for treatment of stress-related mental disorder, such as recurrent depression, posttraumatic stress disorder. Furthermore, studies on neurogranin, a downstream signal molecule in NR-dependant transduction pathway, provided further information about the mechanisms underlying the effects of stress on behavior.

Key words: N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor, neurogranin, stress, behavior