Abstract
The metabotropic glutamate receptors (mGluRs) are expressed pre- and post-synaptically throughout the nervous system where they serve as modulators of synaptic transmission and neuronal excitability. Activation of mGluRs can be pro- or anti-nociceptive, depending on their anatomic location and the signaling cascades to which they couple. Antagonists of Group I mGluRs and agonists of Group II and III mGluRs have shown therapeutic promise in animal pain models. This article reviews the potential therapeutic utility of several agents that act predominantly via mGluRs, specifically focusing on their analgesic efficacy and discussing possible off-target effects. Glutamate, the primary excitatory neurotransmitter in the vertebrate nervous system, mediates its effects via activation of two main classes of receptors: ligand-gated ion channels known as ionotropic receptors and G-protein coupled metabotropic receptors. Antagonists of ionotropic glutamate receptors, such as ketamine, have robust analgesic properties; however, their analgesic utility is limited to monitored clinical settings due to the potential for psychomimetic effects.
Keywords: Pain, analgesia, sensitization, mGluR, metabotropic glutamate receptors (mGluRs), synaptic transmission, neuronal excitability, anti-nociceptive, potential therapeutic utility, their analgesic efficacy, excitatory neurotransmitter, G-protein coupled metabotropic receptors, robust analgesic properties, psychomimetic effects
Current Pharmaceutical Biotechnology
Title: Metabotropic Glutamate Receptors as Targets for Analgesia: Antagonism, Activation, and Allosteric Modulation
Volume: 12 Issue: 10
Author(s): Michael C. Montana and Robert W. Gereau
Affiliation:
Keywords: Pain, analgesia, sensitization, mGluR, metabotropic glutamate receptors (mGluRs), synaptic transmission, neuronal excitability, anti-nociceptive, potential therapeutic utility, their analgesic efficacy, excitatory neurotransmitter, G-protein coupled metabotropic receptors, robust analgesic properties, psychomimetic effects
Abstract: The metabotropic glutamate receptors (mGluRs) are expressed pre- and post-synaptically throughout the nervous system where they serve as modulators of synaptic transmission and neuronal excitability. Activation of mGluRs can be pro- or anti-nociceptive, depending on their anatomic location and the signaling cascades to which they couple. Antagonists of Group I mGluRs and agonists of Group II and III mGluRs have shown therapeutic promise in animal pain models. This article reviews the potential therapeutic utility of several agents that act predominantly via mGluRs, specifically focusing on their analgesic efficacy and discussing possible off-target effects. Glutamate, the primary excitatory neurotransmitter in the vertebrate nervous system, mediates its effects via activation of two main classes of receptors: ligand-gated ion channels known as ionotropic receptors and G-protein coupled metabotropic receptors. Antagonists of ionotropic glutamate receptors, such as ketamine, have robust analgesic properties; however, their analgesic utility is limited to monitored clinical settings due to the potential for psychomimetic effects.
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Cite this article as:
C. Montana Michael and W. Gereau Robert, Metabotropic Glutamate Receptors as Targets for Analgesia: Antagonism, Activation, and Allosteric Modulation, Current Pharmaceutical Biotechnology 2011; 12 (10) . https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/138920111798357438
DOI https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/138920111798357438 |
Print ISSN 1389-2010 |
Publisher Name Bentham Science Publisher |
Online ISSN 1873-4316 |
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