The N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor and schizophrenia

Many patients with schizophrenia respond relatively rapidly to low doses of dopamine antagonists and, thus, conform well to the predictions of the dopamine hypothesis. Other patients, however, respond only slowly and partially even to high doses. For such patients, alternate models are required. The phencyclidine/N-methyl-D-asparate (PCP/NDMA) model, while still under development, offers an alternative view of brain function in schizophrenia and a framework for development of new treatments. Medications augmented with NDMA receptors are already showing clinical promise. Future developments in this area may permit the development of even more specific diagnosis and therapeutic interventions.