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Targeting of Glycine Site on NMDA Receptor as a Possible New Strategy for Autism Treatment

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Abstract

The exact pathophysiology of the neurodevelopment disorder of autism is not clear and there is not any curative approach for it. There is only one FDA-approved medication for its management. Therefore, providing of novel treatments is highly required. The hypofunction of GABAergic system and glutamate toxicity are generally believed to have a causal role for autism. The antagonist of the N-methyl-d-aspartic acid (NMDA) glutamate receptor improves autism. Glycine is required for the activation of NMDA receptor. The antagonist of glycine site decreases NMDA receptor conductance. It is hypothesis that glycine site antagonists can be tested as a new strategy for the management of autism.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Research Center for Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Department of Psychiatry, Hafez Hospital, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran

    Ahmad Ghanizadeh

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  1. Ahmad Ghanizadeh
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Correspondence to Ahmad Ghanizadeh.

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Ghanizadeh, A. Targeting of Glycine Site on NMDA Receptor as a Possible New Strategy for Autism Treatment. Neurochem Res 36, 922–923 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11064-010-0381-2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11064-010-0381-2

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