New insights on the influence of free d-aspartate metabolism in the mammalian brain during prenatal and postnatal life
Free d-aspartate is abundant in the mammalian embryonic brain. However, following the postnatal onset of the catabolic d-aspartate oxidase (DDO) activity, cerebral d-aspartate levels drastically decrease, remaining constantly low throughout life. d-Aspartate stimulates both glutamatergic NMDA receptors (NMDARs) and metabotropic Glu5 receptors. In rodents, short-term d-aspartate exposure increases spine density and synaptic plasticity, and improves cognition.