title: [Glutamatergic mechanisms in alcohol dependence--genetic, molecular-biological and neuropharmacological findings].
abstract: A number of preclinical and clinical findings suggest that the glutamate system, especially NMDA-receptors has a major function in neuropsychiatric disorders related to chronic alcoholism. Other findings suggest, that glutamatergic mechanisms may also play a role for the addictive process itself including craving and addiction memory. A number of genetic and molecular-biological findings and more recent neuropharmacological studies point in this direction. NMDA-modulators and antagonists have been found to be possible or even clinically effective so called anti-craving-drugs. A better understanding of the glutamatergic mechanisms in alcohol dependence may therefore also be of relevance for the development of new anti-craving-drugs and therapy-research.
authors.affiliation: Psychiatrische Klinik der Universität München, Munich. Michael.Soyka@psy.med.uni-muenchen.de
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Soyka
authors.forename: U
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Preuss
mesh_terms: D000437:Alcoholism / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000503:physiopathology; D000818:Animals; D002492:Central Nervous System Depressants / Q000494:pharmacology; D000431:Ethanol / Q000494:pharmacology; D018698:Glutamic Acid / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D017470:Receptors, Glutamate / Q000502:physiology
chemical_list: D002492:Central Nervous System Depressants; D017470:Receptors, Glutamate; D000431:Ethanol; D018698:Glutamic Acid