Abstract
Dysfunction of glutamatergic neurotransmission has been implicated in the pathophysiology of schizophrenia. Neuroimaging and post mortem studies revealed several alterations in glutamate markers in different brain regions in schizophrenic patients. Furthermore, NMDA glutamate receptor blockade by the anesthetics PCP and ketamine can cause psychotic symptoms in healthy persons and exacerbate symptoms in schizophrenic patients. Then glutamatergic system is a promising target for drug development in the treatment of schizophrenia. Drugs that indirectly enhance NMDA receptor function via the glycine modulatory site, as glycine itself, D-serine and D-cycloserine, have been studied. The results to date show that these drugs can reduce negative symptoms and probably improve cognitive functioning in schizophrenic patients receiving conventional antypsychotics. Further studies administering these drugs for an extended time period and using scales to assess quality of life are necessary to determine whether these effects are of clinical relevance.
| Translated title of the contribution | New perspectives in the pharmacologic treatment of schizophrenia: Glicina agonists |
|---|---|
| Original language | Portuguese |
| Pages (from-to) | 73-80 |
| Number of pages | 8 |
| Journal | Psiquiatria Biologica |
| Volume | 10 |
| Issue number | 2 |
| State | Published - Jun 2002 |
| Externally published | Yes |
Keywords
- Glutamate
- Glycine
- NMDA receptor
- Schizophrenia
- Treatment
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Psychiatry and Mental health