Summary:
Glutamatergic neurotransmission modulators have been already used in the treatment of Alzheimer’s
disease and some affective disorders. Dysfunction of glutamatergic neurotransmission may be
also involved in pathophysiology of schizophrenia. There is evidence of positive therapeutic effects
of agonists of glycine modulatory site of NMDA receptors on symptoms of schizophrenia in clinical
trials. The drugs modulating extracellular levels of NMDA receptor agonists and AMPA receptor
modulators are currently under clinical evaluation. The hypothesis of glutamatergic hyperfunction
proposed the effect of glutamate release-inibiting drugs in schizophrenia. Positive therapeutic
effect of lamotrigine in add-on therapy has been demonstrated in patiens with schizophrenia treated
with atypical antipsychotics.
Key words:
glutamate, schizophrenia, NMDA receptor agonists, glycine transport inhibitors.
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