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Riluzole blocks human muscle acetylcholine receptors
Author(s) -
Deflorio Cristina,
Palma Eleonora,
Conti Luca,
Roseti Cristina,
Manteca Alessia,
Giacomelli Elena,
Catalano Myriam,
Limatola Cristina,
Inghilleri Maurizio,
Grassi Francesca
Publication year - 2012
Publication title -
the journal of physiology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.802
H-Index - 240
eISSN - 1469-7793
pISSN - 0022-3751
DOI - 10.1113/jphysiol.2012.230201
Subject(s) - riluzole , amyotrophic lateral sclerosis , neuromuscular transmission , acetylcholine , medicine , neurotransmission , acetylcholine receptor , neuromuscular junction , pharmacology , neuroscience , neuromuscular disease , receptor , anesthesia , biology , disease
Key points • Riluzole is the only drug available against amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), a fatal disease characterized by death of motor neurones. • Recently it has been shown to block muscle ACh receptors (AChRs), raising concerns about possible side‐effects on neuromuscular transmission in patients. • In this work we studied the effect of riluzole on the function of muscle AChRs in vitro and on neuromuscular transmission in ALS patients. • Data indicate that riluzole is apparently safe regarding neuromuscular transmission in patients. • However, riluzole may affect the function of AChRs expressed in denervated muscle fibres of ALS patients, with biological consequences that remain to be investigated.