Decreased striatal dopamine-receptor binding in sporadic ALS: glutamate hyperactivity?

Vogels, O J; Oyen, W J; van Engelen, B G; Padberg, G W; Horstink, M W · Neurology · 1999

cross_sectional · Level IV

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Abstract

The pathogenesis of ALS may be related to increased glutamatergic excitotoxicity. The striatum receives massive glutamatergic input. Animal studies suggest that glutamate decreases striatal D2-receptor synthesis. In drug-naive, sporadic ALS patients we demonstrated decreased striatal D2-receptor binding in vivo that could be partially reversed by the glutamatergic transmission blocker riluzole. Our findings support the glutamatergic excitotoxicity hypothesis in sporadic ALS.

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