NMDA Receptor Antagonists for Treatment of CNS Disorders

Dear Colleagues,

Glutamate receptors are known to play key roles in the CNS. Over-activity of these receptors which may be due to several factors including over-expression and higher levels of glutamate, has been linked to several CNS disorders. Glutamate receptors can broadly be divided into metabotropic and ionotropic. The ionotropic receptors have been further sub classified into three mainly based on agonists, namely, N-methyl-D- aspartic acid (NMDA), Kaininc acid and (alpha-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4- isoxazole-propionic acid) AMPA. While all these receptors are possible drug targets, the NMDA receptor has been particularly targeted for drug discovery efforts. These efforts have led to memantine, a USA FDA approved drug for treatment of Alzheimer’s disease. Other drugs acting at NMDA receptors are being examined for various disorders, from severe depression to drug abuse, to treatment of memory and learning issues in neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1). The goal of this special issue is to examine current efforts in CNS drug discovery through this receptor.

Prof. Dr. Adeboye Adejare
Guest Editor