Modulators Of Glutamatergic Signaling As Potential Treatments Of Neuropsychiatric Disorders

Mounting evidence from preclinical and clinical research suggests that the glutamatergic system is highly involved in the pathophysiology of major neuropsychiatric disorders. All of these scientific activities are a necessary first step, which translates into opportunities in terms of development of new and improved treatment strategies. Glutamate-based research over the last couple of decades has provided novel insights into the pathogenesis of both psychiatric disorders such as treatment resistant depression, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, PTSD, ADHD and neurological disorders including Alzheimer's dementia, migraine, epilepsy, ALS and neuropathic pain. Recent news developments also indicate glutamate involvement in neurodevelopmental disorders such as autism. In addition to the above, recent discoveries that several novel therapeutic agents like riluzole, memantine, ketamine, topiramate and lamotrigine possess glutamatergic properties as part of their mechanism of action, further boosted the interest of drug development companies and academic research centers to put more effort into investigating novel therapeutically efficacious compounds. Moreover, recent large "real life" clinical studies, such as STAR*D, also looked into disease-associated glutamate genetics and paved the way for the future creation of first individualized pharmacogenetic treatments. The overall purpose of this book is to provide the reader with expert opinions relating to the most up-to-date information on glutamate's role in pathophysiology of neuropsychiatric disorders and current and future glutamatergic treatment strategies. The authors' hope that this contribution will foster future research activities, which are all ultimately aiming to improve quality of life in patients with chronic, psychiatric and neurological disorders, thus enhancing their contribution to society.

This volume provides a comprehensive overview of recent advances in targeting glutamate signaling for the treatment of major psychiatric and neurological disorders. It draws on the latest findings in glutamate neurobiology and offers valuable insights into the application of translational principles in neuroscience drug discovery and development. In each chapter, glutamate as a neurotransmitter, its receptors and transporters, and their interplay with other neurotransmitters and neurotrophic factors, are discussed in the context of a specific, highly prevalent and disabling CNS disease. Most recent and detailed information is provided on Ischemic Stroke, Chronic Stress, Major Depressive Disorder, Bipolar Disorder, Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD), Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Alzheimer’s Dementia, Schizophrenia, Impulsive Aggression, Substance Use Disorders (SUD), Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), Chronic Pain, Multiple Sclerosis, Parkinson’s Disease, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), Migraine, Epilepsy and Anxiety disorders. Moreover, the book includes an extensive overview of glutamatergic treatments already available on the market, and those which are currently in pharmaceutical drug development pipelines. The primary beneficiaries will be neurology and psychiatry specialists and residents, neuroscientists, neuropharmacologists, pharmaceutical industry and clinical research organization professionals, academics, and clinicians working with psychiatric and neurological patients with comorbidities such as cardiologists, pulmonologists, and endocrinologists. This book will also appeal to psychiatry and neurology subspecialists and clinicians working in neuroscience labs seeking an easy-to-understand yet comprehensive overview of contemporary evidence-based clinical insights backed by basic science (preclinical) research evidence. Given its scope, the book is also a unique and indispensable resource for both preclinical and clinical neuroscientists, medical advisors, and clinical research specialists in the pharmaceutical industry. In addition, it will appeal to neuroscience and neuropsychopharmacology students and guide them through the complexities of glutamate involvement in the pathophysiology of the most common debilitating brain diseases with high unmet medical needs.

The Advances in Pharmacology series presents a variety of chapters from the best authors in the field. Includes the authority and expertise of leading contributors in pharmacology Presents the latest release in the Advances in Pharmacology series

This resource includes individual chapters on the phenomenology, pathogenesis, pharmacotherapy and psychotherapy of OCD and other related disorders, and features fully updated content and research, as well as a resources chapter, and an appendix with summaries of the major rating scales used to assess patients with OCD.

Animal and Translational Models for CNS Drug Discovery combines the experience of academic, clinical and pharmaceutical neuroscientists in a unique collaborative approach to provide a greater understanding of the relevance of animal models of neuropsychiatric disorders and their role as translational tools for the discovery of CNS drugs being developed for the treatment of these disorders. The focus of this three-volume series of essays is to present a consensual picture of the translational value of animal models from leading experts actively involved in the use of animal models for understanding fundamental neurobiology of CNS disorders and the application of this knowledge to CNS drug discovery, and clinical investigators involved in clinical trials, drug development and eventual registration of novel pharmaceuticals. Each volume of the Animal and Translational Models for CNS Drug Discovery series is dedicated to the development and use of animal models in key therapeutic areas in psychiatric, neurologic and reward deficit disorders. Each volume has introductory chapters expressing the view of the role and relevance of animal models for CNS drug discovery and development from the perspective of (a) academic basic neuroscientific research, (b) applied pharmaceutical drug discovery and development, and (c) issues of clinical trial design and regulatory agencies limitations. Each volume examines the rationale, use, robustness and limitations of animal models in relevant therapeutic areas and discusses the use of animal models for target identification and validation. The clinical relevance of animal models is discussed in terms of major limitations in cross-species comparisons, clinical trial design of drug candidates, and how clinical trial endpoints could be improved. The aim of this series of volumes on Animal and Translational Models for CNS Drug Discovery is to identify and provide common endpoints between species that can serve to inform both the clinic and the bench with the information needed to accelerate clinically-effective CNS drug discovery. - Provides clinical, academic, government and industry perspectives fostering integrated communication between principle participants at all stages of the drug discovery process - Critical evaluation of animal and translational models improving transition from drug discovery and clinical development - Emphasizes what results mean to the overall drug discovery process - Explores issues in clinical trial design and conductance in each therapeutic area - Each volume is available for purchase individually.

Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) affects one person in 40 and can cause great suffering. This volume provides the first comprehensive summary of our understanding of this enigmatic condition, summarizing current work ranging from genetics and neurobiology through cognitive psychology, treatment, personal experiences, and societal implications

This book emphasizes treatment options for Parkinson's disease, providing the necessary clinical and scientific basis for the foundations of solid therapeutics.