Metabotropic Glutamate Receptors: Classification, Structure and Roles in Disease

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Metabotropic Glutamate Receptors: Classification, Structure and Roles in Disease focuses on Glutamate (Glu), a neurotransmitter/neuromodulator the most widely present in neurons of excitatory pathways, both in the central and peripheral nervous system. The authors present and discuss the molecular structure of some glutamatergic receptors, their distribution, specificity and molecular mechanisms of the physiological and pathological effects of Glu in health and illness. The specific and nonspecific agonist/antagonist receptors utility are also discussed. Following this, the recent outcomes on the role of mGlu7 and mGlu8 receptors on pain transmission and affective/cognitive disorders are summarized. Particular emphasis is placed on their modulation within the antinociceptive descending system, an endogenous anatomical substrate whose pharmacological manipulation may strategically silence pain. In the concluding chapter, the authors reviewed the roles of Metabotropic Glutamate Receptors (mGluRs) and their related signal transduction pathways or interacting proteins in the pathogenesis of the status epilepticus and temporal lobe epilepsy. Some novel therapeutical drug targets for controlling epilepsy and epileptogenesis are proposed.