Basic PET Data Analysis Techniques

Abstract

Glutamate is the primary excitatory neurotransmitter in the central nervous system (CNS) and acts via two main classes of receptors: ionotropic and metabotropic. Whereas ionotropic receptors are responsible for fast excitatory synaptic transmission, metabotropic glutamate receptors (mGluRs) have an important role in synaptic modulation throughout the CNS. Different subtypes of mGluRs regulate neuronal excitability, synaptic plasticity, neurotransmitter release, and glial functions, which are important for brain development and mechanisms of learning, injury, and neuroprotection. The widespread distribution of mGluRs and their important role in synaptic modulation underscore their potential relevance in the pathophysiology of a wide range of neurologic and psychiatric disorders, including not only those discussed in this review but also hypoxic brain injury, pain, Alzheimer's disease, depression, anxiety, schizophrenia, and drug addiction. The development of drugs that act as highly selective allosteric modulators of specific mGluR subtypes will continue to elucidate the role of these receptors in normal and abnormal brain function and their potential as therapeutic targets. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2012 APA, all rights reserved)