(RS)-AMPA ((±)-AMPA) is a glutamate analog and an agonist of the effective and selective excitatory neurotransmitter L-glutamic acid.

(RS)-AMPA activates glutamate/quisqualate receptors to induce depolarizing effects without influencing NMDA receptors. It enhances the discharge rate of spontaneously active neurons or triggers a brief burst of action potentials in inactive cells. The depolarization effect of (RS)-AMPA is dose-dependent but shows significant variability across different neurons. At concentrations of 10^-3 to 10^-4 M, (RS)-AMPA causes depolarizations in cultured rat spinal and brainstem neurons. Lower concentrations (10^-5 M) result in minimal depolarizations (3-7 mV), while higher concentrations (10^-4 M) generate larger depolarizations, varying from 4 to 33 mV [1].