Autoimmune-Induced Calcium Influx Calcium channel antibodies have been isolated which may lead to prolonged influx of calcium into nerve cells, resulting in nerve cell damage and cell death by activating intracellular enzymes. Antibody-mediated calcium increase may also stimulate the release of glutamate, further increasing intracellular calcium and nerve cell damage. The problem is many of these studies have shown conflicting results and have not been reproducible in subsequent studies. The incidence of ALS has also been found to be higher among airline pilots and electric utility workers. Glutamate also may lead to the production of detrimental calcium, which can churn out its own supply of DNA-harming free radicals.
Abnormalities can lead to an accumulation of the toxic calcium.
The above information is in part from the MDA ALS Newsletter and Dominic Marchese, RPh. A major excitatory neurotransmitter in the CNS that plays a role in fast response to stimuli, cognition, memory, movement and sensation. Enables the body to perform many tasks and to do them quickly. The role of glutamate has led to the development of Rilutek. For more information on basic neurology and the Neurophysiology of ALS, please go to the Neurology 101 page.