title: Translating glutamate: from pathophysiology to treatment.
abstract: The neurotransmitter glutamate is the primary excitatory neurotransmitter in mammalian brain and is responsible for most corticocortical and corticofugal neurotransmission. Disturbances in glutamatergic function have been implicated in the pathophysiology of several neuropsychiatric disorders-including schizophrenia, drug abuse and addiction, autism, and depression-that were until recently poorly understood. Nevertheless, improvements in basic information regarding these disorders have yet to translate into Food and Drug Administration-approved treatments. Barriers to translation include the need not only for improved compounds but also for improved biomarkers sensitive to both structural and functional target engagement and for improved translational models. Overcoming these barriers will require unique collaborative arrangements between pharma, government, and academia. Here, we review a recent Institute of Medicine-sponsored meeting, highlighting advances in glutamatergic theories of neuropsychiatric illness as well as remaining barriers to treatment development.
authors.affiliation: Translational Schizophrenia Research Center, Nathan Kline Institute/Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, NY 10032, USA. javitt@nki.rfmh.org
authors.forename: Daniel C
authors.initials: DC
authors.lastname: Javitt
authors.forename: Darryle
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Schoepp
authors.forename: Peter W
authors.initials: PW
authors.lastname: Kalivas
authors.forename: Nora D
authors.initials: ND
authors.lastname: Volkow
authors.forename: Carlos
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Zarate
authors.forename: Kalpana
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Merchant
authors.forename: Mark F
authors.initials: MF
authors.lastname: Bear
authors.forename: Daniel
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Umbricht
authors.forename: Mihaly
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Hajos
authors.forename: William Z
authors.initials: WZ
authors.lastname: Potter
authors.forename: Chi-Ming
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Lee
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D003226:Congresses as Topic; D018698:Glutamic Acid / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D051379:Mice; D009422:Nervous System Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D018377:Neurotransmitter Agents / Q000378:metabolism / Q000627:therapeutic use; D057170:Translational Research, Biomedical
chemical_list: D018377:Neurotransmitter Agents; D018698:Glutamic Acid