Metabotropic glutamate receptors: the potential for therapeutic applications in Alzheimer's disease

A dysfunction of glutamate signaling is implicated at several levels in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease. Currently, metabotropic glutamate receptors, which have a wide distribution in the central nervous system and activate a multitude of cell signaling pathways, are pursued as targets for therapeutic intervention in Alzheimer's disease. Research is still limited, but results underscore the relevance of ongoing studies. Here we discuss the latest updates regarding metabotropic glutamate receptors and their role in Alzheimer's disease, as well as promising metabotropic glutamate receptor ligands that have been investigated in preclinical models of Alzheimer's disease.