Glutamate-related biomarkers in drug development for disorders of the nervous system
Subtitle: workshop summary
By: Diana E. Pankevich, Miriam Davis, and Bruce M. Altevogt, rapporteurs ; Forum on Neuroscience and Nervous System Disorders, Board on Health Sciences Policy, Institute of Medicine of the National Academies
Contributors: Institute of Medicine (U.S.). Forum on Neuroscience and Nervous System Disorders
Publisher: National Academies Press
Published: 2011
Place of publication: Washington, D.C
Language: eng
Number of pages: 61
ISBN-13: 9780309212212
Subjects: Congresses; Diseases; Biochemical markers; Drug development; Neuropharmacology; Nervous system
Description: Glutamate is the most pervasive neurotransmitter in the central nervous system (CNS). Despite this fact, no validated biological markers, or biomarkers, currently exist for measuring glutamate pathology in CNS disorders or injuries. Glutamate dysfunction has been associated with an extensive range of nervous system diseases and disorders. Problems with how the neurotransmitter glutamate functions in the brain have been linked to a wide variety of disorders, including schizophrenia, Alzheimer's, substance abuse, and traumatic brain injury. These conditions are widespread, affecting a large portion of the United States population, and remain difficult to treat.  Efforts to understand, treat, and prevent glutamate-related disorders can be aided by the identification of valid biomarkers. The Institute of Medicine's Forum on Neuroscience and Nervous System Disorders held a workshop on June 21-22, 2010, to explore ways to accelerate the development, validation, and implementation of such biomarkers. This book investigates promising current and emerging technologies, and outlines strategies to procure resources and tools to advance drug development for associated nervous system disorders. Moreover, this report highlights presentations by expert panelists, and the open panel discussions that occurred during the workshop.
Notes: Includes bibliographical references (p. 39-43)

Also available online in Open Book format via the National Academies Press home page.