N-Methyl-L-aspartic acid is primarily used in neuroscience research as a selective agonist for the NMDA receptor, a type of glutamate receptor in the brain. It helps in studying the role of NMDA receptors in synaptic plasticity, learning, and memory processes. Additionally, it is utilized in experiments to understand excitotoxicity, a process where nerve cells are damaged or killed due to excessive stimulation by neurotransmitters. This compound is also employed in electrophysiological studies to investigate the mechanisms of neuronal signaling and the effects of receptor activation on neural circuits. Its application extends to pharmacological research, where it aids in the development of drugs targeting NMDA receptor-related disorders, such as neurodegenerative diseases and chronic pain conditions.