Decreased platelet glutamate uptake in patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.
Decreased glutamate uptake and a loss of the astrocytic glutamate transporter EAAT2 (GLT-1) have been shown in spinal cord and motor cortex of patients with ALS. Because platelets express the three major glutamate transporter subtypes, including GLT-1, and possess a high-affinity glutamate uptake, the authors investigated glutamate uptake in platelets from patients with ALS and controls. A 43% reduction of high-affinity glutamate uptake rate (p < 0.0001) was observed in patients with ALS compared with normal controls and chronic neurologic disorder patients, suggesting a systemic impairment of glutamate uptake in ALS.
Ferrarese
C
C
Department of Neurosciences and Biomedical Technologies, University of Milano-Bicocca, Ospedale San Gerardo, Monza, Italy.
Sala
G
G
Riva
R
R
Begni
B
B
Zoia
C
C
Tremolizzo
L
L
Galimberti
G
G
Millul
A
A
Bastone
A
A
Mennini
T
T
Balzarini
C
C
Frattola
L
L
Beghi
E
E
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000690:Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis / Q000097:blood*; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D015415:Biomarkers; D001792:Blood Platelets / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D018698:Glutamic Acid / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged
D015415:Biomarkers; D018698:Glutamic Acid