[Antidepressants of the future: role of the glutamatergic system]

Rev Med Liege. 2011 Apr;66(4):195-8.
[Article in French]

Abstract

Despite the availability of several antidepressants, the treatment of major depression is far from being satisfactory. With conventional antidepressants, more than 30 to 45% of the patient will not respond or present only partial remission. In the prospect of a better treatment of depression, research tends to develop original molecules, more effective, with a faster onset of action and a better tolerability. The new targets of antidepressive pharmacotherapy are beyond the membrane receptor. The future in the treatment of depression requires a better understanding of cellular and molecular mechanisms involved in the pathophysiology of depression and biochemical mechanisms explaining the antidepressive effect. In this context, the glutamatergic system plays a role in the pathophysiology of depression. Agents modulating glutamatergic activity could act as antidepressants.

Publication types

  • English Abstract

MeSH terms

  • Antidepressive Agents / pharmacology*
  • Depression / physiopathology
  • Humans
  • Receptors, Glutamate / drug effects*
  • Receptors, Glutamate / physiology

Substances

  • Antidepressive Agents
  • Receptors, Glutamate