Ionotropic glutamate receptor AMPA subtype (AMPA receptor (AMPAR))

The ionotropic glutamate receptor AMPA subtype, commonly known as the AMPA receptor (AMPAR), is a tetrameric ligand-gated ion channel widely distributed in the central nervous system and is responsible for fast excitatory synaptic transmission. Activated by glutamate binding, AMPARs allow the influx of sodium and, in some cases, calcium ions, leading to neuronal depolarization. The receptor consists of four subunits (GluA1–GluA4), often co-assembled, and interacts with auxiliary proteins such as TARPs and cornichon homologs, which modulate its trafficking, gating, and pharmacology. Dysfunction or altered regulation of AMPARs is implicated in numerous brain disorders, making them important therapeutic targets for epilepsy, neurodegenerative diseases, psychiatric illness, and ischemic injury[1][2][4][5].

Other names

AMPA receptorAMPARα-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionic acid receptorGluA (GluA1–4) receptorGlutamate receptor ionotropic AMPA type

Noncompetitive antagonism, Competitive antagonism, Allosteric modulation, Channel block