Posted by phidippus on November 15, 2014, at 16:44:40
In reply to Sarcosine for depression/ocd » phidippus, posted by mogger on November 13, 2014, at 14:46:46
The NMDA receptor is an ionotropic receptor that allows for the transfer of electrical signals between neurons in the brain and in the spinal column. For electrical signals to pass, the NMDA receptor must be open. To remain open, glutamate and glycine must bind to the NMDA receptor. An NMDA receptor that has glycine and glutamate bound to it and has an open ion channel is called "activated."
What I can't figure out is why a Glycine agonist would work to treat OCD/depression. In treating OCD/depression we want to antagonize the NMDA receptor and Sarcosine is not doing that-quite the opposite, actually. It could be that inhibition of glycine reuptake may modulate glutamate transmission in ways that will be therapeutic in OCD/depression. I'm thinking Glycine effects the way glutamate binds to the NMDA receptor causing it to decay quicker. Glycine remains intact in the receptor and without glutamate, the NMDA receptor remains inactive. Just a theory anyway.
Eric
Eric
poster:phidippus
thread:1073254
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20141017/msgs/1073485.html