Glutamatergic Neurotransmission As Molecular Target of New Anticonvulsants

Rosaria      Gitto; Laura      De Luca; Sara      De Grazia; Alba      Chimirri

Abstract

Glutamate is the major excitatory neurotransmitter in the mammalian central nervous system (CNS) controlling physiological processes as learning and memory. However, the overactivation of glutamatergic neurotransmission is often related to various CNS chronic and acute diseases (epilepsy, ischaemia, Parkinson, etc.). This review will focus on the chemical structures, mechanism of action and main structure-activity relationships of anticonvulsant agents acting through glutamate neurotransmission.

Keywords: AMPA, anticonvulsants, epilepsy, glutamate, glutamate transporters, iGluR, mGluR