Pronunciation: ˌ en-( ˌ )em-( ˌ )d ē - ' ā
Function: noun
Etymology: N - m ethyl- D - a spartate
Date: 1986
: a synthetic amino acid C 5 H 9 NO 4 that binds selectively to a subset of glutamate receptors on neurons where the binding of glutamate results in the opening of calcium channels