Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Martina Montanari, Giuseppina Martella, Paola Bonsi, Maria Meringolo
Summary: Disturbances in the glutamatergic system have been observed in autism spectrum disorder (ASD). This review summarizes evidence from patient samples, postmortem studies, and animal models to explore the role of glutamate in the pathophysiology of ASD and its potential as a therapeutic target.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Biology
Yuchen Hao, Estelle Toulme, Benjamin Koenig, Christian Rosenmund, Andrew J. R. Plested
Summary: Optical report of neurotransmitter release allows visualization of excitatory synaptic transmission. However, without targeting to synapses, the specificity of the fluorescent signal is uncertain. To address this, the reporter iGluSnFR was fused to glutamate receptor auxiliary proteins to target it to postsynaptic sites. This improved the properties of iGluSnFR and demonstrated the importance of subcellular targeting for optogenetic actuators and reporters.
Article
Neurosciences
Bing Zhang, Xili Yang, Luyu Ye, Rui Liu, Binglu Ye, Weijia Du, Fuyi Shen, Qian Li, Fan Guo, Jinqi Liu, Fei Guo, Yang Li, Zhendong Xu, Zhiqiang Liu
Summary: Ketamine demonstrates rapid antidepressant effects at subanaesthetic doses, but the understanding of its mechanism is still limited. By increasing the excitability of the mPFC, ketamine exerts its antidepressant effects, with a critical role played by the GABAergic system in the mPFC.
Article
Neurosciences
Daniel J. Liput, Henry L. Puhl, Ao Dong, Kaikai He, Yulong Li, David M. Lovinger
Summary: This study investigates the mechanisms of eCB mobilization in the DLS, and finds that brief bouts of synaptic stimulation induce long lasting eCB transients, mainly generated by 2-AG mobilization. The efficient mobilization of 2-AG requires coactivation of multiple receptors and is inhibited by dopamine D2 receptors.
Editorial Material
Psychiatry
Oliver Howes, Paolo Fusar-Poli, Martin Osugo
Summary: Negative symptoms are prevalent and impactful symptoms in schizophrenia. This article provides an overview of their functional consequences and discusses the latest research and guidelines on assessment and treatment. It also addresses conceptual issues related to the measurement of negative symptoms.
BRITISH JOURNAL OF PSYCHIATRY
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Paolo Belardinelli, Franca Konig, Chen Liang, Isabella Premoli, Debora Desideri, Florian Mueller-Dahlhaus, Pedro Caldana Gordon, Carl Zipser, Christoph Zrenner, Ulf Ziemann
Summary: The effects of different anti-glutamatergic drugs on TMS-evoked EEG potentials and oscillations varied, with dextromethorphan increasing N45 TEP amplitude, perampanel reducing P60 TEP amplitude while increasing TIOs, and nimodipine showing no effects. The study demonstrates the importance of different neurotransmitter systems in regulating brain activity and highlights potential implications for neuropsychiatric disorders.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2021)
Review
Endocrinology & Metabolism
Alexandre Caron, Natalie Jane Michael
Summary: The article discusses the possibility of obesity as a disease of the nervous system, suggesting the nervous system as an effective target for treating obesity, but also pointing out the risks and costs involved. It also examines the brain pathways regulating energy balance and how medications affect body weight, aiming to provide the endocrine community with a helpful conceptual framework.
JOURNAL OF CLINICAL ENDOCRINOLOGY & METABOLISM
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Eva-Maria Gebauer, Albert Lukas
Summary: Geriatric patients, who are vulnerable and heterogeneous due to their multimorbidity and polypharmacy, often receive antipsychotic prescriptions. This study found no significant differences in the prescribing pattern, safety, and impact of consultant pharmacist intervention on antipsychotic use between younger and older geriatric patients. A regular pharmaceutical-medical dialogue is recommended for the cautious use of antipsychotics in geriatric settings.
Article
Psychiatry
Naoki Hashimoto, Norio Yasui-Furukori, Naomi Hasegawa, Shuhei Ishikawa, Shusuke Numata, Hikaru Hori, Hitoshi Iida, Kayo Ichihashi, Ryuji Furihata, Atsunobu Murata, Takashi Tsuboi, Masahiro Takeshima, Yoshitaka Kyou, Hiroshi Komatsu, Chika Kubota, Shinichiro Ochi, Yoshikazu Takaesu, Masahide Usami, Tatsuya Nagasawa, Akitoyo Hishimoto, Kenichiro Miura, Junya Matsumoto, Kazutaka Ohi, Hisashi Yamada, Ken Inada, Koichiro Watanabe, Kazutaka Shimoda, Ryota Hashimoto
Summary: The analysis of discharge prescription data for patients with schizophrenia and MDD revealed differences in prescription patterns for antipsychotics and hypnotics/anxiolytics among patients of different age groups, as well as the common practice of polypharmacy.
ASIAN JOURNAL OF PSYCHIATRY
(2021)
Review
Neurosciences
Piotr Kaczmarski, Marcin Sochal, Dominik Strzelecki, Piotr Bialasiewicz, Agata Gabryelska
Summary: Glutamate and GABA are important neurotransmitters that play a crucial role in maintaining the brain's physiological functions. Disturbances in their balance can lead to various health problems, including neurodegeneration, affective disorders, and sleep disorders. The disruptions in glutamate and GABA function are also implicated in obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and its comorbidities. Pharmacotherapy targeting GABA and glutamate may have an impact on the course of OSA, highlighting the potential of these neurotransmitters as therapeutic targets.
FRONTIERS IN NEUROSCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Neurosciences
Ashwin Kumaria, Keyoumars Ashkan
Summary: Despite aggressive surgical and adjuvant approaches, high grade gliomas have a poor prognosis. Recent studies have shown a linkage between neuronal electrical activity and glioma growth involving the PI3K-mTOR pathway. In particular, glutamate signalling has been found to promote glioma invasion and growth, suggesting that targeting glutamatergic signalling may be a potential treatment option in glioma.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Cristian Petrescu, Ioana R. R. Papacocea, Crisanda Vilciu, Oana A. A. Mihalache, Diana M. M. Vlad, Gabriela Marian, Brindusa E. E. Focseneanu, Cristian T. T. Sima, Constantin A. A. Ciobanu, Sorin Riga, Adela M. M. Ciobanu
Summary: This study aims to compare the profile of neurological soft signs in patients with predominantly negative symptoms of schizophrenia with patients who do not present a predominance of negative symptoms, as well as to assess the impact of treatment on the neurological function of these patients.
Article
Neurosciences
Laura Wade-Bohleber, Niklaus Zolch, Mick Lehmann, Jutta Ernst, Andre Richter, Erich Seifritz, Heinz Boeker, Simone Grimm
Summary: This study investigated the neurobiological changes associated with psychodynamic psychotherapy in patients with major depressive disorder. The results showed that the levels of glutamine in the pregenual anterior cingulate cortex were related to the severity of symptoms before treatment. However, after 6 months of psychotherapy, the correlation between glutamine levels and symptom severity reversed.
NEUROPSYCHOBIOLOGY
(2023)
Review
Cell Biology
Pratik Chakraborty, Abhijit Dey, Abilash Valsala Gopalakrishnan, Kumari Swati, Shreesh Ojha, Anand Prakash, Dhruv Kumar, Rashmi K. Ambasta, Niraj Kumar Jha, Saurabh Kumar Jha, Saikat Dewanjee
Summary: In the mammalian brain, glutamate acts as the primary excitatory neurotransmitter and plays important roles in various brain functions. A complex glutamatergic network consisting of receptors, neurotransmitters, and other components regulates excitatory neurotransmission and synaptic plasticity. Dysfunctional glutamate receptors and components can lead to cognitive impairments and damage to neurons. Controlling glutamatergic transmission and modifying glutamate receptor function may be a potential therapeutic strategy for cognitive disorders.
AGEING RESEARCH REVIEWS
(2023)
Article
Psychiatry
Naoki Hashimoto, Norio Yasui-Furukori, Naomi Hasegawa, Shuhei Ishikawa, Hikaru Hori, Hitoshi Iida, Kayo Ichihashi, Kenichiro Miura, Junya Matsumoto, Shusuke Numata, Fumitoshi Kodaka, Ryuji Furihata, Kazutaka Ohi, Kazuyoshi Ogasawara, Jun-ichi Iga, Hiroyuki Muraoka, Hiroshi Komatsu, Masahiro Takeshima, Kiyokazu Atake, Mikio Kido, Toshinori Nakamura, Taishiro Kishimoto, Akitoyo Hishimoto, Toshiaki Onitsuka, Tsuyoshi Okada, Shinichiro Ochi, Tatsuya Nagasawa, Manabu Makinodan, Hiroki Yamada, Takashi Tsuboi, Hisashi Yamada, Ken Inada, Koichiro Watanabe, Ryota Hashimoto
Summary: The study aimed to compare psychotropic prescriptions in Japan between hospital admission and discharge, aligning them with international standards and reducing facility differences. Patients who received monotherapy with the main drug at admission were likely to continue with monotherapy at discharge. Polypharmacy was more common in patients who switched from monotherapy to polypharmacy. Over 10% of patients had no changes in prescription throughout their hospital stay.