Deafferentation-induced regulation of AMPA receptors in the spinal cord of the adult rat

Abstract

Glutamate released from primary afferents is thought to be involved in mediating spinal reflexes, nociception, and the development and consequent maintenance of hyperalgesia. The role of glutamate is dependent on the distribution and regulation of glutamate receptors in the spinal cord. Due to the numerous glutamate receptor subtypes and their differential physiological profiles, the system is quite complex. Understanding the regulation of the various glutamate receptor subunits may aid in the elucidation of the role of glutamate in somatosensory processing. In this study we found a transient reduction in delta-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-isoxazole-4-propionate (AMPA) receptors in the dorsal horn following partial deafferentation. The time course for the alterations of spinal AMPA receptors may correspond to the functional consequence of deafferentation.

• Glutamate Receptors, Dorsal Horn, Neuropathic Pain