Excitotoxicity and ALS: What is unique about the AMPA receptors expressed on spinal motor neurons?

@article{Kawahara2005ExcitotoxicityAA,
  title={Excitotoxicity and ALS: What is unique about the AMPA receptors expressed on spinal motor neurons?},
  author={Yukio Kawahara and Shin Kwak},
  journal={Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis},
  year={2005},
  volume={6},
  pages={131 - 144}
}
It has been repeatedly reported that spinal motor neurons are selectively vulnerable to AMPA receptor‐mediated excitotoxicity. Therefore, identifying the uniqueness of AMPA receptors that are expressed on motor neurons, especially in individuals affected with sporadic amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is essential for elucidating the etiology of this disorder. The mechanism that initiates motor neuronal death appears to be an exaggerated influx of Ca2+ through AMPA receptors. The determinants… 
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TLDR
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TLDR
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