N-Acetylcysteine and Metabotropic Glutamate Receptors: Implications for the Treatment of Schizophrenia: A Literature review

Abstract

The objective of this study is to review the available data regarding metabotropic glutamate receptors in the pathology of Schizophrenia. Further, to investigate the potential utility of N-acetylcysteine as it relates to metabotropic glutamate receptors. A PubMed based literature review was conducted using keywords related to glutamate receptors, Schizophrenia and N-acetylcysteine from June 2012 through August of 2012. Relevant cited references of selected articles were also reviewed. The knowledge base regarding glutamate receptors, both ionotropic and metabotropic is rapidly expanding. New agonists of various subsets of metabotropic glutamate receptors are available and have demonstrated potential utility in animal models. N-acetylcysteine indirectly stimulates presynaptic metabotropic glutamate receptors and has shown efficacy in two double-blind randomized controlled trials. Metabotropic glutamate receptors contribute to an understanding of glutamate dysfunction in Schizophrenia. Agents which lead to stimulation of metabotropic glutamate receptors, inclusive of N-acetylcysteine show promise as novel agents in the treatment of this disorder. An understanding of the various metabotropic glutamate receptors will be a growing necessity as agents which target them continue to emerge and enter clinical trials.