Figure 6. Overview of signal transduction induced by NMDA and BDNF

NMDA binds to NMDA receptor and intracellular calcium level is increased. That activates the protein phosphatase 2A (PP2A) and Akt is dephosphorylated. Phosphorylated Akt plays a role in preventing apoptotic cell death. BDNF simulates TrkB/ShcC/PI3K signaling pathway and phosphorylated Akt is increased which results in suppression of NMDA-induced cell death.