Non-NMDA receptors in motor neuron disease (MND): a quantitative autoradiographic study in spinal cord and motor cortex using [3H]CNQX and [3H]kainate.
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| Abstract |
The distribution and density of non-NMDA receptors in spinal cord and motor cortex was compared in 10 cases of motor neuron disease (MND) and 8 neurologically normal controls by quantitative autoradiography using [3H]CNQX and [3H]kainate. In the motor cortex of MND cases, an increased density of [3H]kainate binding sites was observed which was most marked in the deep layers. No significant differences were observed in [3H]CNQX binding in the motor cortex between MND and control cases. In the spinal cord significantly increased densities of both [3H]CNQX and [3]kainate binding sites were found in the substantia gelatinosa and the intermediate grey matter in the MND group. The changes in [3H]kainate binding were observed only in the amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) subgroup of MND, while the changes in [3H]CNQX binding in the spinal cord were more marked in ALS compared to progressive muscular atrophy (PMA) cases. These findings provide evidence in support of a disturbance of glutamatergic neurotransmission in MND and suggest that there may be an increased excitatory drive to motor neurons via non-NMDA receptors. It is unclear at present whether the changes observed represent a compensatory response to loss of motor neurons in MND or a pathophysiological phenomenon contributing to motor neuron degeneration. Modulation of non-NMDA receptor activity may represent a possible target for therapeutic intervention in this disease.
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| Authors | P J Shaw, R M Chinnery, P G Ince |
| Journal | Brain research (Brain Res) Vol. 655 Issue 1-2 Pg. 186-94 (Aug 29 1994) ISSN: 0006-8993 [Print] Netherlands |
| PMID | 7812772 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't) |
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