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Molecular mechanisms underlying the N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor antagonists: Highlighting their potential for transdiagnostic therapeutics
Journal article   Peer reviewed

Molecular mechanisms underlying the N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor antagonists: Highlighting their potential for transdiagnostic therapeutics

Christina Driver, Timothy N W Jackson, Jim Lagopoulos and Daniel Hermens
Progress in Neuro-Psychopharmacology & Biological Psychiatry, Vol.119, pp.1-8
2022
PMID: 35878675
Appears in  Thompson Institute Research Collection
url
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pnpbp.2022.110609View
Published Version

Abstract

ketamine memantine mental disorders DNS disorders NMDAR antagonists Molecular Biology Thompson Institute Special Collection UniSC Diversity Area - Disability and Inclusion
The so-called "psychedelic renaissance" has stimulated expanded interest in several classes of drugs that appear to possess transdiagnostic effects in the treatment of mental health disorders, specifically. N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor (NMDAR) antagonists are one such class with diverse therapeutic potential. NMDARs mediate excitatory postsynaptic signalling in the central nervous system (CNS) and are integral to normal neurobiological processes including neuronal development, synaptic transmission, and plasticity, and thus involved in learning and memory. However, NMDAR hyper-function is also implicated in acute CNS trauma, neuropsychiatric and neurodegenerative disorders, as well as chronic pain. The complex structure of NMDARs permits several locations for therapeutic inhibition, making these receptors a potential target for multiple drugs which modulate them in different ways. NMDAR antagonists, which may be competitive, non-competitive, or uncompetitive, either block glutamate from binding the receptor or modulate the response to glutamate binding. Despite longstanding concerns about side effects of NMDAR antagonists, recent research suggests that, when appropriately used, these agents have favourable safety profiles. Furthermore, their fast-acting mechanism of action, resulting in rapid effects compared to other therapeutic agents, makes them a promising class of drugs that may yield effective therapeutics for multiple CNS disorders.

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Clinical Neurology
Neurosciences
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Psychiatry

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