Main Chapters:
00:00 Intro - Glutamate and ADHD
00:12 Take home message
01:01 What is Glutamate?
04:37 Glutamate Receptors and Transporters in the Brain
08:09 Roles of Glutamate in the Brain
09:32 Conditions Associated with Glutamate
10:53 Medications Acting on Glutamate
17:06 Conclusion
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Free link to my Medium Article on Glutamate and ADHD:
https://medium.com/wise-well/a-neglected-neurotransmitter-provides-food-for-thought-4e0c8a992a62?sk=c28358ed4d3e41992acc3b9c531aea2f
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Glutamate is the most abundant neurotransmitter in the brain. Half of the neurons use it to signal other neurons, and up to 90% of neurons have at least some glutamate receptors to receive input. In addition, there are three major classes of glutamate receptors, each with multiple variations, and several glutamate transport molecules.
It's not surprising that glutamate is involved in lots of what the brain does. Glutamate blocking drugs are currently used for Alzheimer's disease and depression.
The effects of the NMDA-glutamate receptor blocking drug memantine have been looked at in children and adults with ADHD. These studies provide limited, but supportive evidence for the idea that NMDA-blockers can improve symptoms of ADHD.
References:
Therapeutic Efficacy and Safety of Memantine for Children and Adults With ADHD With a Focus on Glutamate-Dopamine Regulation: A Systematic Review (2024)
https://www.psychiatrist.com/jcp/Memantine-Children-Adults-ADHD-glutamate-dopamine-systematic-review/?
Aberrant glutamatergic systems underlying impulsive behaviors: Insights from clinical and preclinical research (2024)
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0278584624001751?via%3Dihub
Glutamate-Related Biomarkers in Drug Development for Disorders of the Nervous System: Workshop Summary
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK62187/#:~:text=The%20complexity%20of%20regulating%20glutamate,ketamine%2C%20and%20D%2Dcylcoserine
Atomoxetine acts as an NMDA receptor blocker in clinically relevant concentrations
https://bpspubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1476-5381.2010.00707.x
Videos Referenced:
https://youtu.be/wM5JklE2kIQ
https://youtu.be/ZhOeBW8lXZ4
https://youtu.be/rP0IT31akVc
https://youtu.be/xsUYWBZcK9k
Amantadine for ADHD:
https://youtube.com/live/nFW_zY1F1pg
Full Chapter list:
00:00 Intro - Glutamate and ADHD
00:12 Take home message
01:01 What is Glutamate?
02:06 Glutamate as a Neurotransmitter
03:40 Glutamate as a Neurotransmitter Precursor
04:37 Glutamate Receptors and Transporters in the Brain
05:21 NMDA Receptors (N-methyl D-aspartate)
06:59 Glutamine Receptors
07:25 Glutamate Transporters
08:09 Roles of Glutamate in the Brain
09:32 Conditions Associated with Glutamate
10:53 Medications Acting on Glutamate
11:04 Ketamine
11:58 Dextromethorphan
12:36 Memantine / Amantadine
14:41 Acamprosate / D-Cycloserine / N-Acetylcysteine
16:15 Atomoxetine / Lamotrigine / Topiramate
17:06 Conclusion
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Psychiatrist, neuroscientist, and author John Kruse, MD, PhD presents practical, actionable, well-researched information about treatment options that scientists and clinicians recommend for adult ADHD and other mental health conditions. Subscribe if you're curious about how neuro-atypical brains can optimize their functioning in our shared, and somewhat strange, world.
Dr. Kruse has posted talks in both the "live" and the "video" sections of this channel. Thumbnails on ADHD topics have a pink background, and those on more general mental health topics have a purple background. A small collection of ADHD-Trump videos have an orange background.
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