Receptores metabotrópicos de glutamato: potencial terapéutico en la esquizofrenia y la depresión.

Glutamate metabotropic receptors are emerging like a potential target for the treatment of a number of psychiatric diseases, including schizophrenia and depression. In the present work, we review studies carry out with different compounds that act on the diverse subtypes of glutamate metabotropic receptors (mGluR). Research mainly focuses on group I and II of mGluR, more than in group III due to the lack of specific and bioavailable ligands for this group. Concretely, mGlu5 receptor antagonists and mGlu2/3 receptors agonists have shown effectiveness for the schizophrenic symptoms treatment through NMDA receptor modulation and the regulation of glutamate release, respectively. Furthermore, the advent of positive allosteric modulators (PAMs) produces promising results for the schizophrenia treatment. In regard to the depression, classic antidepressant treatment affects mGluR function. Similarly, it has been shown a robust involvement of mGlu5 receptors in the depression modulation, as well as the implication of group II mGluR. Nonetheless, with respect the last one, are necessary additional studies because it has been found antidepressive effects of both antagonists and agonists mGlu2/3 receptors.