An increase in [Ca2+]i causes a reversible Ca2+-induced inactivation of NMDAR currents. Ca2+ influx during unitary NMDAR-mediated synaptic events produces detectable self-inhibition on a time scale of a few milliseconds. Recombinant Ca2+-permeable AMPAR and Ca2+-impermeable NMDAR mutant channels were co-expressed in HEK 293 cells. The results show that Ca2+ influx through Ca2+-permeable AMPARs may inhibit NMDAR on the time scale of synaptic transmission.