Effects of C2-ceramide and C2-dihydroceramide on glutamate receptors of hippocampal neuron

Sphingolipids are structural elements of cell membrane and have an important role in signal transmission as second messengers of the cell. Ceramide, which is an important sphingolipid, causes cellular differentiation or apoptosis by activating intracellular enzymes with the influence of extracellular stimulants. Because of these characteristics, it is considered that ceramide is an essential molecule in neurodegenerative diseases and their development processes. Hippocampus, which is a part of limbic system, and an important structure involved in learning and memory and has a significant role in generation of neurodegenerative diseases. In this study, effects of active and inactive form of short-chain ceramide on postsynaptic currents recorded from CA1 pyramidal neuron of rat hippocampus was investigated by using patch-clamp technique.