Glutamate theory of depression-new elements

Abstract

IntroductionIt is well known that actual mechanisms which explain depression are very exhaustive and at same time extremely limited. Among these ones, it had been given the priority, maybe too quick, to serotonin hypothesis. Even so, the actual SSRI and SRNI classes doesn’t do. really, a lot in alleviating the course of the disease. Recent randomised clinical trials and clinic -epidemiological studies support the idea that something more effective must be offered. On the other side addiction reveals more and more in depth correlations with all major psychiatric disorders.ObjectivesIt is possible to develop in the close future new chemical products which could act in more effective way for the reduction or even cancelling of the symptoms determined by the alteration of major neurotransmitters-, GABA and glutamate.AimsBased on huge interconnection which exists between depression and drug dependence at various levels-especially through the effects exerted by particular anti depressant and some of anti craving medications, it is possible to evaluate the impact which some new pharmaceutical compounds -derivated from glutamate type of receptor NMDA-might exert upon various types of depression elicited by patients with associated drug dependence.MethodsHad been realised a thematical reanalysis of the studies published on Medline, EMBASE and OVID about this subject.ResultsThe conclusion of the studies reveals the huge potential represented by treatment with some types of NMDA antagonists-Ketamine. The putative site of action is prefrontal cortex and is had been proved highly efficient in MDD patients.