Objective To investigate whether and how N\|methy\|D\|asparate(NMDA) receptor regulates radial migration of cortical neuron. Methods Migration route and characters of transefected neurons were traced, using EM>in utero/EM> electroporation of small interference RNA (siRNA) of NMDA receptor NR1 subunit, the essential subunit, and fluorescence immunohistochemistry. Results Cortical neurons transfected with control vector,could radially migrate to the proper cortical plate layer 2-3 before postnatal 7(P7), however, neurons which silenced NR1 subunit could not migrate to the proper layer 2-3, while improperly stayed at lower layers or even the germinal regions. Conclusion NMDA receptor plays an essential role in regulating proper neuronal migraion and cortical lamination in the developing rat cortex, which is helpful to understand the basic mechanism of neuron migration and prevent neuronal migration disorders.