Accumulations of binding sites for [3H]3-[+-)-2-carboxypiperazin-4-yl)-propyl-1-phosphonic ([3H]CPP) and [3H]-N-(1-[2-thienyl]cyclohexyl)-3,4-piperidine ([3H]TCP) were demonstrated both proximal and distal to 24-h ligatures of the central and peripheral vagus nerve in the rat using radioligand binding and autoradiography. Peaks of label occurred at the proximal and distal extremities of double ligations but not between the ligatures, or in sham-operated or colchicine-treated nerves. Together these results suggest that both the primary acceptor site and the ionophore of the N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor undergo bidirectional axonal transport in central and peripheral branches of the vagus nerve.