Glutaminergic Modulators as Potential Therapeutic Modalities for Neuropathic Pain

Chronic neuropathic pain due to injury or dysfunction of the nervous system, which intensifies as it continues, affects millions of people and remains a formidable treatment challenge in spite of a growing range of medication choices. This neuropathy can range from mild to extreme in pain levels. In spite of several experimental and animal studies on neuropathic pain, its pathophysiologic mechanisms have not been completely understood. The pharmacotherapy for neuropathic pain has had a limited success with little or no response to commonly-used pain-reducing drugs, such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and opiates. Recent research efforts into pathophysiological mechanisms have revealed new treatment targets, new classification schemes have opened up novel options for individualized treatment strategies, and the implementation of several international guidelines should help to improve care of patients. This review briefly summarizes the theoretical development and experimental evidence of recent and novel emerging drug target the glutaminergic system, for neuropathic pain treatment. Sustained efforts on this novel drug target can expedite the development of lead compounds to reach the clinical stage, which will broaden our pharmacotherapeutic armaments against various debilitating, painful conditions.