The potential role of lamotrigine in schizophrenia.

Abstract

Atypical antipsychotic drugs are the drugs of choice for the treatment of schizophrenia. However, despite advances, no treatments have been established for patients who fail to improve with the most effective of these, clozapine. The inhibition of dopamine transmission through blockade of dopamine D2 receptors is considered to be essential for antipsychotic efficacy, but it is postulated that modulation of glutamate transmission may be equally important. In support of this, symptoms similar to schizophrenia can be induced in healthy volunteers using N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) antagonist drugs that are also known to enhance glutamate transmission. Furthermore, lamotrigine, which can modulate glutamate release, may add to or synergise with atypical antipsychotic drugs, some of which may themselves modulate glutamate transmission.