Na⁺/Ca²⁺ exchangers play prominent roles in removing [Ca²⁺]_i induced by glutamate but not depolarization in mesencephalic neurons.

ER, functionally closer to K⁺-dependent Na⁺/Ca²⁺ exchanger, is a Ca²⁺ source which provide limited effects.

Mitochondria act as the major Ca²⁺ storages and functionally closer to K⁺-independent Na⁺/Ca²⁺ exchanger.

These three machineries cooperate interactively and behave similarly in the regulation of [Ca²⁺]_i in the mesencephalic neurons.

Single-cell RT-PCR analysis suggests each individual neurons consist of different combinations of Na⁺/Ca²⁺ exchangers subtypes.