The metabotropic glutamate receptors: potential drug targets for the treatment of anxiety disorders?

Anxiety-related disorders are a common public health issue. Several lines of evidence suggest that altered glutamatergic neurotransmission underlies anxiety. Thus, novel molecules targeting glutamatergic neurotransmission, such as ligands of the metabotropic glutamate receptors (mGlurs) might be promising candidates for the treatment of anxiety disorders. To date, several ligands selective for each mGlu receptor (mGlur) have been synthesized, and pharmacological significances of these compounds have been demonstrated mainly in animal models. Here we critically review advances in research of these emerging molecular targets for the treatment of anxiety, discuss their advantages over currently used anxiolytics as well as remaining challenges.