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Modulation of AMPA receptors in spinal motor neurons by the neuroprotective agent riluzole

We investigated the interaction of riluzole, a therapeutic agent used in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), with α‐amino‐3‐hydroxy‐5‐methyl‐4‐isoxazole propionic acid (AMPA) receptor channels in mouse spinal motor neurons in culture using whole‐cell patch‐clamp recording techniques. Kainate elicited concentration‐dependent (EC50 = 35 μM) inward currents in all the patched cells. These responses were mediated primarily through the activation of AMPA receptors with a negligible contribution from kainate receptors, because bath application of 100 μM GYKI53655, a potent noncompetitive AMPA receptor antagonist, completely blocked the kainate‐induced currents. Riluzole (0.5–100 μM) reduced in a dose‐dependent manner the kainate‐induced currents with an IC50 of 1.54 μM in all tested neurons (n = 25) and this effect was found to be reversible. The response to kainate decreased in the presence of 1 μM riluzole in all spinal motor neurons tested, without changing its EC50, indicating a noncompetitive mechanism of inhibition. The amplitude of the responses induced by kainate under control condition and during riluzole was a linear function of the membrane potential. The reversal potential of the current was not significantly different in the two experimental conditions, whereas the total conductance of the motor neurons for the currents induced by 100 μM kainate was reduced significantly in the presence of 1 μM riluzole (P < 0.05). These results reveal an interaction of riluzole with glutamatergic neurotransmission in spinal cord motor neurons and can contribute to explain its beneficial effect in the ALS treatment. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.