Group I metabotropic glutamate receptors: a role in neurodevelopmental disorders?

Maria Vincenza Catania, Simona D'Antoni, Carmela Maria Bonaccorso, Eleonora Aronica, Mark F. Bear, Ferdinando Nicoletti

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48 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Group I metabotropic glutamate receptors (mGlu1 and mGlu5) are coupled to polyphosphoinositide hydrolysis and are involved in activity-dependent forms of synaptic plasticity, both during development and in the adult life. Group I mGlu receptors can also regulate proliferation, differentiation, and survival of neural stem/progenitor cells, which further support their role in brain development. An exaggerated response to activation of mGlu5 receptors may underlie synaptic dysfunction in Fragile X syndrome, the most common inherited form of mental retardation. In addition, group I mGlu receptors are overexpressed in dysplastic neurons of focal cortical dysplasia and hemimegaloencephaly, which are disorders of cortical development associated with chronic epilepsy. Drugs that block the activity of group I mGlu receptors (in particular, mGlu5 receptors) are potentially helpful for the treatment of Fragile X syndrome and perhaps other neurodevelopmental disorders
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)298-307
JournalMolecular neurobiology
Volume35
Issue number3
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2007

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