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Why do some drugs save lives in emergency situations? What is the secret of NMDA receptors?
In emergency medicine, time is life. When patients are in dire need of help, doctors often rely on a class of drugs called NMDA receptor antagonists to overcome the crisis. These drugs can bring patients back from the brink of life and rekindle their hope of survival. So, what exactly are NMDA receptors? How do these drugs work to save lives in emergency situations?
NMDA receptor is an ion channel receptor with important functions in the central nervous system. These receptors bind to neurotransmitters, such as glutamate and glycine, to open channels that further transmit nerve signals. When NMDA receptors are activated by antagonists, the transmission of these signals is blocked, leading to a series of reactions that affect brain activity.
"Overactivation of NMDA receptors is considered to be an important factor in inducing neurotoxicity."
NMDA antagonists, such as ketamine and meclazine, are widely used clinically, especially in acute situations. Ketamine can help maintain a patient's breathing and circulation, which is particularly important for emergency patients with unknown medical records. Its unique properties make it ideal for burn victims. Doctors know that using these drugs can provide deep anesthesia in a short period of time, which can help perform other necessary medical procedures in critical situations.
"The use of NMDA receptor antagonists is not limited to anesthesia, but also extends to the regulation of psychological states and many other medical applications."
In addition to ketamine, there are many other NMDA antagonists being studied and used in the medical community. For example, Dextromethorphan is a common cough suppressant, and its metabolite, dextrorphan, also has the function of NMDA antagonism. This makes it a potential adjunctive therapy for addressing psychotic symptoms in certain specific circumstances. This is because abnormal function of NMDA receptors is closely related to many psychiatric disorders, including schizophrenia and cognitive impairment.
As people's understanding of NMDA antagonists deepens, the application scope of these drugs is gradually expanding, including antidepressant treatment. In 2019, esketamine, an allergic isomer of ketamine, was approved by the FDA for the treatment of treatment-resistant depression. In 2022, another combination drug, Auvelity, was licensed, which contains dextromethorphan, suggesting that NMDA antagonists have great potential in treating mental health problems.
"Overactivation of NMDA receptors is closely related to neuronal excitotoxicity, and NMDA antagonists may become a double-edged sword in some cases."
However, the use of NMDA receptor antagonists is not without risks. Long-term use may lead to impaired cognitive function, especially in heavy users, where acute mental impairment is more likely. The possible side effects of these drugs include psychotic symptoms such as hallucinations and delusions, which have attracted widespread clinical and social attention.
Further studies have shown that although NMDA antagonists have therapeutic potential, they are accompanied by the risk of neurotoxicity. A great deal of research is being devoted to finding solutions that can mitigate these side effects so that these drugs can be used more safely, especially in mental health treatments.
As science continues to advance, we may gain a clearer understanding of the role of NMDA receptors and how to safely and effectively use their antagonists. This exploration is not only about improving first aid and mental illness treatment, but also about how humans can find hope for survival and possibilities for the future in crises.
So, as these drugs gradually come into the view of more people, how should we judge whether their use can really help lives in the future in emergency treatment and mental health treatment?
