Metabotropic Glutamate Receptor 2 Positive Allosteric Modulators: Closing the Gate on Drug Abuse?

Abstract

Abnormally high levels of extracellular glutamate, the principal excitatory neurotransmitter in the central nervous system, have been implicated in elevated drug seeking and taking as well as drug addiction (1). Presynaptic metabotropic glutamate receptors (mGluRs) can limit glutamate release by acting as autoreceptors on glutamatergic terminals (2). Among the eight subtypes of mGluRs, group II (mGluR2 and mGluR3) and group III (mGluR4, mGluR7, and mGluR8) are known to act as autoreceptors at excitatory synapses in the mammalian brain. Group II mGluRs have received considerable attention in recent years as contributing factors and therapeutic targets for drug abuse disorders (2). For example, several studies demonstrated that agonists of group II mGluRs decrease operant self-administration of drugs, including cocaine, alcohol, nicotine, and methamphetamine. In addition, activation of group II mGluRs attenuates cue-induced reinstatement of cocaine, heroin, alcohol, and methamphetamine self-administration as well as drug priming–induced reinstatement of nicotine, methamphetamine, and cocaine seeking. Conversely, an antagonist of group II mGluRs increases alcohol drinking (3). There is an evolving idea that presynaptic group II mGluRs may provide a “gatekeeper” function, limiting glutamate release at key synapses in addiction circuitry.