AMPA agonist
AMPA glutamate receptor agonist
- Principal mediator of fast excitatory neurotransmission
- Central to long-term potentiation and memory formation
- Overactivation drives excitotoxicity and seizures
AMPA agonist (1/2)
- Glutamate
- AMPA receptor is the principal mediator of fast excitatory neurotransmission in the brain
- AMPA receptors generate fast excitatory postsynaptic potentials (EPSPs), which sum with inhibitory GABA inputs to determine whether a neuron fires
- Central to synaptic plasticity (LTP/LTD)
- ➔ AMPA receptor insertion strengthens synapses (LTP, memory formation)
- ➔ AMPA removal weakens synapses (LTD)
AMPA agonist (2/2)
- More AMPA receptors → higher likelihood of neuronal firing (“AMPlified”)
- ➔ “memory insertion receptors”
- ➔ “Amplified Memory Plasticity Apparatus”
Drugs with this mechanism (3)
- AMPA — Glutamate agonist that names the AMPA receptor; a research ligand.
- Glutamate — The primary excitatory neurotransmitter of the CNS.
- Kainate — Glutamate agonist that names the kainate receptor; an excitotoxin.
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