Abstract
Glutamate is the most abundant excitatory neurotransmitter in the brain and the ionotropic NMDA receptor is one of the major classes of its receptors, thought to play an important role in schizophrenia and mood disorders. The current systematic review summarized the evidence concerning the involvement of NMDA receptors in the pathophysiology of bipolar disorder. Genetic studies point to the genes encoding the NMDA 1, 2A and 2B subunits while neuropathological studies suggest a possible region specific decrease in the density of NMDA receptor and more consistently a reduced NMDA-mediated glutamatergic activity in patients with bipolar disorder in the frame of slower NMDA kinetics because of lower contribution of NR2A subunits. However the literature is poor and incomplete; future research is necessary to elucidate the mechanisms underlying bipolar disorder and its specific relationship to a possible NMDA malfunction and to explore the possibility of developing novel therapeutic agents.
Keywords: NMDA, glutamate, excitatory aminoacids, bipolar disorder, lithium, neurotransmitter, ionotropic NMDA receptor, schizophrenia, mood disorders, glutamatergic activity
Current Pharmaceutical Design
Title:The Possible Involvement of NMDA Glutamate Receptor in the Etiopathogenesis of Bipolar Disorder
Volume: 18 Issue: 12
Author(s): Konstantinos N. Fountoulakis
Affiliation:
Keywords: NMDA, glutamate, excitatory aminoacids, bipolar disorder, lithium, neurotransmitter, ionotropic NMDA receptor, schizophrenia, mood disorders, glutamatergic activity
Abstract: Glutamate is the most abundant excitatory neurotransmitter in the brain and the ionotropic NMDA receptor is one of the major classes of its receptors, thought to play an important role in schizophrenia and mood disorders. The current systematic review summarized the evidence concerning the involvement of NMDA receptors in the pathophysiology of bipolar disorder. Genetic studies point to the genes encoding the NMDA 1, 2A and 2B subunits while neuropathological studies suggest a possible region specific decrease in the density of NMDA receptor and more consistently a reduced NMDA-mediated glutamatergic activity in patients with bipolar disorder in the frame of slower NMDA kinetics because of lower contribution of NR2A subunits. However the literature is poor and incomplete; future research is necessary to elucidate the mechanisms underlying bipolar disorder and its specific relationship to a possible NMDA malfunction and to explore the possibility of developing novel therapeutic agents.
Export Options
About this article
Cite this article as:
Konstantinos N. Fountoulakis , The Possible Involvement of NMDA Glutamate Receptor in the Etiopathogenesis of Bipolar Disorder , Current Pharmaceutical Design 2012; 18 (12) . https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/138161212799958585
DOI https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/138161212799958585 |
Print ISSN 1381-6128 |
Publisher Name Bentham Science Publisher |
Online ISSN 1873-4286 |
Call for Papers in Thematic Issues
"Tuberculosis Prevention, Diagnosis and Drug Discovery"
The Nobel Prize-winning discoveries of Mycobacterium tuberculosis and streptomycin have enabled an appropriate diagnosis and an effective treatment of tuberculosis (TB). Since then, many newer diagnosis methods and drugs have been saving millions of lives. Despite advances in the past, TB is still a leading cause of infectious disease mortality ...read more
Current Pharmaceutical challenges in the treatment and diagnosis of neurological dysfunctions
Neurological dysfunctions (MND, ALS, MS, PD, AD, HD, ALS, Autism, OCD etc..) present significant challenges in both diagnosis and treatment, often necessitating innovative approaches and therapeutic interventions. This thematic issue aims to explore the current pharmaceutical landscape surrounding neurological disorders, shedding light on the challenges faced by researchers, clinicians, and ...read more
Emerging and re-emerging diseases
Faced with a possible endemic situation of COVID-19, the world has experienced two important phenomena, the emergence of new infectious diseases and/or the resurgence of previously eradicated infectious diseases. Furthermore, the geographic distribution of such diseases has also undergone changes. This context, in turn, may have a strong relationship with ...read more
Melanoma and Non-Melanoma Skin Cancer Treatment: Standard of Care and Recent Advances
In this thematic issue, we aim to provide a standard of care of the diagnosis and treatment of melanoma and non-melanoma skin cancer. The editor will invite authors from different countries who will write review articles of melanoma and non-melanoma skin cancers. The Diagnosis, Staging, Surgical Treatment, Non-Surgical Treatment all ...read more
- Author Guidelines
- Graphical Abstracts
- Fabricating and Stating False Information
- Research Misconduct
- Post Publication Discussions and Corrections
- Publishing Ethics and Rectitude
- Increase Visibility of Your Article
- Archiving Policies
- Peer Review Workflow
- Order Your Article Before Print
- Promote Your Article
- Manuscript Transfer Facility
- Editorial Policies
- Allegations from Whistleblowers
- Announcements
Related Articles
-
Molecular Phenotype of CXCL12β 3UTR G801A Polymorphism (rs1801157) Associated to HIV-1 Disease Progression
Current HIV Research Avoidance of Aβ[25-35] / (H2O2) -Induced Apoptosis in Lymphocytes by the Cannabinoid Agonists CP55, 940 and JWH-015 via Receptor-Independent and PI3K-Dependent Mechanisms: Role of NF- κB and p53
Medicinal Chemistry Generating ‘Omic Knowledge’: The Role of Informatics in High Content Screening
Combinatorial Chemistry & High Throughput Screening Role of Osmolytes in Regulating Immune System
Current Pharmaceutical Design Cyclin-Dependent Kinase 5 (Cdk5): A Potential Therapeutic Target for the Treatment of Neurodegenerative Diseases and Diabetes Mellitus
Mini-Reviews in Medicinal Chemistry Pharmacological Characteristics of Parenteral IGF-I Administration
Current Pharmaceutical Biotechnology P2X1 and P2X2 Receptors in the Central Nervous System as Possible Drug Targets
CNS & Neurological Disorders - Drug Targets RNA Interference-Based Gene Silencing in Mice: The Development of a Novel Therapeutical Strategy
Current Pharmaceutical Design Regulation of Gait and Balance: The Underappreciated Role of Neuronal Nicotinic Receptor Agonists
Current Pharmaceutical Design Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation for Treatment of Auditory Hallucination: A Systematic Review of Clinical Efficacy
Current Psychiatry Reviews Epidemiological Aspects of Stroke in Very Old Patients
Cardiovascular & Hematological Disorders-Drug Targets Inhibition of G Protein-Activated Inwardly Rectifying K+ Channels by Phencyclidine
Current Neuropharmacology The α7 Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptor Complex: One, Two or Multiple Drug Targets?
Current Drug Targets Genomic and Epigenomic Instability, Fragile Sites, Schizophrenia and Autism
Current Genomics Cerebral Hypoperfusion in Hereditary Coproporphyria (HCP): A Single Photon Emission Computed Tomography (SPECT) Study
Endocrine, Metabolic & Immune Disorders - Drug Targets Targeting CXCR4 in HIV Cell-Entry Inhibition.
Mini-Reviews in Medicinal Chemistry The Hellp Syndrome: A Review
Current Women`s Health Reviews Selective Thyroid Hormone Receptor Modulators
Current Topics in Medicinal Chemistry Pathophysiological Roles of Transglutaminase - Catalyzed Reactions in the Pathogenesis of Human Diseases
Inflammation & Allergy - Drug Targets (Discontinued) mTOR, a Potential Target to Treat Autism Spectrum Disorder
CNS & Neurological Disorders - Drug Targets