Drugs with glutamate-based mechanisms of action in psychiatry.
Pharmacological reports : PR December 1, 2024 Adrian Andrzej Chrobak, Marcin Siwek 11 citations
Standard psychiatric medications work by altering serotonin, dopamine, or norepinephrine, but they often act slowly and lose effectiveness over time, leading to treatment resistance. A growing body of evidence suggests that drugs targeting glutamate receptors can produce rapid, robust, and lasting therapeutic effects, potentially overcoming these limitations. This review covers glutamate-modulating drugs, their mechanisms, and preclinical and clinical studies. Ketamine shows rapid and long-lasting effects. Memantine and minocycline are supported for major depressive disorder and schizophrenia. Amantadine, zinc, and Crocus sativus extracts may improve depressive symptoms. Glutamate-based drugs are promising for treatment-resistant mental disorders, but more research is needed on safety, dosage, and interactions.