Genetic of dysfunctional glutamatergic Neurotransmission

Glutamate is the principal excitatory neurotransmitter in the human brain modulating neuronal activity, cognitive functioning and structural integrity. Glutamate was suggested to be associated with personality traits and plays a key role in the pathophysiology of schizophrenia. Research on glutamate function in humans can principally be conducted by challenges with glutamate active agents, the association of intermediate phenotypes with genetic variations in the glutamate system, and by in vivo measuring of regional brain concentrations of glutamate using magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS). The talk presents…