Developing a complete pharmacology for AMPA receptors: A perspective on subtype-selective ligands

AMPA receptors are a family of ligand-gated ion channels that play central roles in rapid neural signaling and in regulation of synaptic strength. Additionally, these receptors are implicated in a number of major psychiatric and neurological diseases. A comprehensive understanding of the roles that AMPA receptors play in the mammalian nervous system has been hampered by the dearth of ligands available to select between individual AMPA receptors subtypes. Here we provide a perspective on opportunities for developing a complete pharmacology for AMPA receptors.

Several distinct ligand-binding sites exist on AMPA receptors and numerous classes of molecules have been identified that bind to them. Here we provide a perspective on ligands that are selective among the various AMPA receptor subtypes.Figure optionsDownload as PowerPoint slide