oral contraceptive

a tablet taken regularly by women to prevent pregnancy. Most oral contraceptives are combined formulations of a synthetic estrogen and a progestin; some are progestin-only formulations. The synthetic hormones in these pills alter the normal menstrual activities so that ovulation and related functions are prevented. Introduced in 1960, this type of contraceptive became known popularly simply as “the Pill.”

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Psychology term of the day

September 8th 2024

NMDA receptor

a type of glutamate receptor that binds NMDA as well as glutamate. NMDA receptors are coupled to ligand-gated ion channels and are also voltage-sensitive, which enables them to participate in a variety of information-processing operations at synapses where glutamate is the neurotransmitter. The drugs of abuse ketamine and PCP are antagonists at NMDA receptors, preventing the influx of calcium ions at calcium channels, which may cause the hallucinogenic effects of these drugs. Excessive flow of calcium ions into the presynaptic neuron via the NMDA receptor is thought to contribute to glutamate toxicity. A hypothesis on the etiology of schizophrenia involves dysfunction of the NMDA glutamate receptor (see glutamate hypothesis). Compare AMPA receptor.