Gating of AMPA receptors by glutamate is extremely fast and therefore the AMPA receptors mediate most excitatory (depolarizing) currents in the brain during basal neuronal activity. The depolarization caused by the activation of post-synaptic AMPA receptors is necessary for the activation of NMDA receptors that will open only in the presence of both glutamate and a depolarized membrane potential.nSynaptic strength that is defined as the level of post-synaptic depolarization can be long term (hence the term long term potentiation, LTP) and therefore induce changes in signaling and protein synthesis in the activated neuron. These changes are associated with memory formation and learning. Changes in synaptic strength are thought to involve rapid movement of the AMPA receptors in and out of the synapses and a great deal of effort has focused in understanding the mechanisms that govern AMPA receptor trafficking.nThe exact physiological role of the AMPA3 receptor is not clear but a role in the modulation of oscillatory networks affecting sleep and breathing has been suggested.
