Ca2+-permeable AMPA receptors and selective vulnerability of motor neurons
L Van Den Bosch, W Vandenberghe… - Journal of the …, 2000 - Elsevier
To evaluate the role of excitotoxicity in the pathogenesis of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
(ALS), we compared the sensitivity of motor neurons and that of dorsal horn neurons to
kainic acid (KA). Short exposure to KA resulted in the death of motor neurons, while dorsal
horn neurons were unaffected. This selective motor neuron death was completely
dependent on extracellular Ca2+ and insensitive to inhibitors of voltage-operated Ca2+ or
Na+ channels. It was also completely inhibited by the specific AMPA antagonist LY300164 …
(ALS), we compared the sensitivity of motor neurons and that of dorsal horn neurons to
kainic acid (KA). Short exposure to KA resulted in the death of motor neurons, while dorsal
horn neurons were unaffected. This selective motor neuron death was completely
dependent on extracellular Ca2+ and insensitive to inhibitors of voltage-operated Ca2+ or
Na+ channels. It was also completely inhibited by the specific AMPA antagonist LY300164 …