NO-induced activation of RyR1 is critical for seizure-induced neuronal cell death.
Dantrolene is protective against neurodegeneration caused by epileptic seizures.
RyR1 is a therapeutic candidate to ameliorate the brain damage following seizures.
Status epilepticus (SE) is a life-threatening condition that can cause neurodegeneration. Mikami et al. report that NO-induced activation of type 1 ryanodine receptors (RyR1) is involved in SE-induced neuron death. Furthermore, dantrolene, an inhibitor of RyR1, has been found to be protective against neurodegeneration caused by SE.