An increase in GluA2-lacking calcium-permeable AMPA channels has been shown to promote cell death of hippocampal CA1 pyramidal neurons in models of toxicity (Anzai et al., 2003; Gerace et al., 2014) and in pathological conditions including global ischemia (Pellegrini-Giampietro et al., 1997) and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (Hideyama and Kwak, 2011). The gene discussed is GRIA2; the disease is amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.