Glutamatergic Modulators: The Future of Treating Mood Disorders?
Carlos A. Zarate, Rodrigo Machado‐Vieira, Ioline D. Henter, Lobna Ibrahim, Nancy Diazgranados, Giacomo Salvadore
Harvard Review of Psychiatry August 1, 2010 DOI: 10.3109/10673229.2010.511059 via OpenAlex
Summary
Mood disorders like bipolar disorder and major depressive disorder are common, chronic, and recurrent, affecting millions worldwide. Existing antidepressants and mood stabilizers are insufficient for many, with low remission rates, delayed action, residual symptoms, and relapses. New therapeutic agents with faster and sustained effects are urgently needed. The glutamatergic system has been implicated in the pathophysiology of these disorders, with evidence confirming the role of modulators riluzole and ketamine as proof-of-concept agents. Trials with diverse glutamatergic modulators are underway, and this system holds promise for developing next-generation therapeutics.
Study at a glance
| Characteristics | Review Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Topics | Anxiety Depression |
| Keywords | Bipolar disorder Glutamatergic Mood disorders Context archaeology |
| Citations | 226 |
| Key finding | The glutamatergic system holds considerable promise for developing novel therapeutics for bipolar disorder and major depressive disorder. |
Abstract
Mood disorders such as bipolar disorder and major depressive disorder are common, chronic, and recurrent conditions affecting millions of individuals worldwide. Existing antidepressants and mood stabilizers used to treat these disorders are insufficient for many. Patients continue to have low remission rates, delayed onset of action, residual subsyndromal symptoms, and relapses. New therapeutic agents able to exert faster and sustained antidepressant or mood-stabilizing effects are urgently needed to treat these disorders. In this context, the glutamatergic system has been implicated in the pathophysiology of mood disorders in unique clinical and neurobiological ways. In addition to evidence confirming the role of the glutamatergic modulators riluzole and ketamine as proof-of-concept agents in this system, trials with diverse glutamatergic modulators are under way. Overall, this system holds considerable promise for developing the next generation of novel therapeutics for the treatment of bipolar disorder and major depressive disorder.