Luscher B, Maguire JL, Rudolph U, Sibille E. GABA
A receptors as targets for treating affective and cognitive symptoms of depression.
Trends Pharmacol Sci 2023;
44:586-600. [PMID:
37543478 PMCID:
PMC10511219 DOI:
10.1016/j.tips.2023.06.009]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2023] [Revised: 06/23/2023] [Accepted: 06/23/2023] [Indexed: 08/07/2023]
Abstract
In the past 20 years, our understanding of the pathophysiology of depression has evolved from a focus on an imbalance of monoaminergic neurotransmitters to a multifactorial picture including an improved understanding of the role of glutamatergic excitatory and GABAergic inhibitory neurotransmission. FDA-approved treatments targeting the glutamatergic [esketamine for major depressive disorder (MDD)] and GABAergic (brexanolone for peripartum depression) systems have become available. This review focuses on the GABAA receptor (GABAAR) system as a target for novel antidepressants and discusses the mechanisms by which modulation of δ-containing GABAARs with neuroactive steroids (NASs) or of α5-containing GABAARs results in antidepressant or antidepressant-like actions and discusses clinical data on NASs. Moreover, a potential mechanism by which α5-GABAAR-positive allosteric modulators (PAMs) may improve cognitive deficits in depression is presented.
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