Metabotropic Glutamate Receptors And Neurological Psychiatric Disorders

Considering that neurological and psychiatric illnesses do not still have efficient therapies and are becoming increasingly widespread, the search for novel targets appears fundamental. Neuroinflammation, alterations in adult neurogenesis and excitotoxicity, all associated with glutamate transmission dysfunction, are key components of the pathogenetic mechanisms underlying neuropsychiatric illnesses. Counteracting the neurotoxic actions of glutamate through the modulatory actions of metabotropic glutamate receptors (mGluRs), represents a rational intervention that offers tolerability compatible with clinical therapy. Their suitability as targets for developing novel therapies is also based on the fact that mGluRs are found abundantly expressed in synapses of the central nervous system (CNS) that are considered critical in certain neurological and psychiatric disorders. Moreover, recently there has been an exponential development of selective ligands, especially positive and negative allosteric modulators, which by binding to less conserved transmembrane domain sequences ensure, besides a good permeability in the CNS, an adequate selectivity for each mGluR subtype. The eBook “Metabotropic Glutamate Receptors and Neurological/Psychiatric Disorders”, collects contributes (original and review articles) on the beneficial effects of positive and negative allosteric modulators of mGluRs in animal models of neurological and psychiatric diseases from renown experts in the field. The hope is that the effort of both Editors and Contributors of this eBook confirms the unlimited potential of mGluRs in CNS diseases and generate a collaborative discussion on the state of art, overall trends, novel strategies, and future direction of this attractive field of research.

Metabotropic Glutamate Receptors in Psychiatric and Neurological Disorders, Volume 168 in the International Review of Neurobiology series, highlights advances in the field, with this new volume presenting interesting chapters on topics such as mGlu receptors in Parkinson’s disease, Metabotropic glutamate receptors in estradiol-mediated motivated behaviors in females, mGlu regulation of sleep, Implications for sleep disruptions in psychiatric disorders, Mechanisms of mGlu receptor trafficking; alterations by methamphetamine, Group I mGlu and cocaine seeking, The role of mGlu receptors in fear and anxiety, Regulation of Alcohol Consumption, Reward, Dependence, and Perception by Metabotropic Glutamate Receptor Signaling, and mGlu5 as a biomarker for psychiatric disorders. Provides the authority and expertise of leading contributors from an international board of authors Presents the latest release in the International Review of Neurobiology serials Updated release includes the latest information on metabotropic glutamate receptors in psychiatric and neurological disorders

An illuminating summary of our current understanding of the interactive role of dopamine and glutamate in psychiatric diseases and the therapeutic strategies and possibilities for future treatment. Among the new ideas presented are hypotheses on the role of dopamine and glutamate in aggression, the glutamate system in anxiety disorders, glutamate and neurodegeneration, and on the origin and progression of Parkinson's disease. Additional chapters offer novel insights into a variety of psychiatric diseases, including ADHD, stress, aggression, addiction, schizophrenia, depression, social phobias, dementias, bulimia, and neurodegenerative diseases like Parkinson's and Alzheimer's diseases. Each chapter summarizes the prevalence and symptoms of the disease and explains the involvement of dopamine and/or glutamate systems using the newer molecular approaches such as transgenic knockout or knockin mice and recent brain imaging techniques.

Both metabotropic and ionotropic glutamate receptors present attractive “druggable” targets in treating disorders of the central nervous system. There has been a dramatic shift in the focus of glutamate-based therapies away from neurologic disorders such as stroke and traumatic brain injury to the treatment of psychiatric disorders. This “Milestones in Drug Therapy” volume offers a unique, contemporary overview of preclinical and clinical evidence that modulating glutamatergic tone is an effective means of treating psychiatric disorders ranging from depression and anxiety to schizophrenia and drug abuse. The ability to treat diseases such as depression and schizophrenia through multiple, glutamate-based mechanisms offers a unique therapeutic opportunity, as described in this book.

Glutamate is the most pervasive neurotransmitter in the central nervous system (CNS). Despite this fact, no validated biological markers, or biomarkers, currently exist for measuring glutamate pathology in CNS disorders or injuries. Glutamate dysfunction has been associated with an extensive range of nervous system diseases and disorders. Problems with how the neurotransmitter glutamate functions in the brain have been linked to a wide variety of disorders, including schizophrenia, Alzheimer's, substance abuse, and traumatic brain injury. These conditions are widespread, affecting a large portion of the United States population, and remain difficult to treat. Efforts to understand, treat, and prevent glutamate-related disorders can be aided by the identification of valid biomarkers. The Institute of Medicine's Forum on Neuroscience and Nervous System Disorders held a workshop on June 21-22, 2010, to explore ways to accelerate the development, validation, and implementation of such biomarkers. Glutamate-Related Biomarkers in Drug Development for Disorders of the Nervous System: Workshop Summary investigates promising current and emerging technologies, and outlines strategies to procure resources and tools to advance drug development for associated nervous system disorders. Moreover, this report highlights presentations by expert panelists, and the open panel discussions that occurred during the workshop.

As the most abundant excitatory neurotransmitter in the brain, glutamate plays an important role in numerous aspects of normal and pathological brain function. This book provides an overview of the role of metabotropic glutamate receptors (mGluRs) in basic brain functioning, such as autonomic regulation, synaptic plasticity, and learning and memory. Also provided are up-to-date summaries of recent progress towards identifying how mGluRs both mediate and represent novel pharmacotherapeutic targets for the treatment of various neurological and neuropsychiatric disorders, such as depression, anxiety, schizophrenia, amyloidogenic disorders and substance abuse.

The Metabotropic Glutamate Receptors offers state-of-the-art summaries and reviews of virtually everything known today about metabotropic glutamate receptors (mGluRs), including their molecular biology, pharmacology, anatomical distribution, and physiological and pathological roles. Illuminating the overall role played by this crucial class of receptors in brain function, the book also pinpoints those areas in which there is the greatest continuing need for focused research. Because mGluRs have the potential for participating in virtually all known functions of the central nervous system (CNS), the opportunity now exists to develop pharmacological agents that can potentially alter many brain disease processes by selective interaction with precise CNS functions. With its critical and insightful reviews, The Metabotropic Glutamate Receptors will immediately become your essential key to the development of novel treatment strategies for the widest variety of neurological disorders.

Both metabotropic and ionotropic glutamate receptors present attractive “druggable” targets in treating disorders of the central nervous system. There has been a dramatic shift in the focus of glutamate-based therapies away from neurologic disorders such as stroke and traumatic brain injury to the treatment of psychiatric disorders. This “Milestones in Drug Therapy” volume offers a unique, contemporary overview of preclinical and clinical evidence that modulating glutamatergic tone is an effective means of treating psychiatric disorders ranging from depression and anxiety to schizophrenia and drug abuse. The ability to treat diseases such as depression and schizophrenia through multiple, glutamate-based mechanisms offers a unique therapeutic opportunity, as described in this book.