Dopamine ADHD/OCD Theories: Is Glutamine Part of the Story?

The role of cortico-striato-thalamo-cortical circuitry in a number of childhood presentations  is reviewed. The comparative role of dopaminergic vs glutamatergic functions in conditions presenting with obsessive, cognitive, motor and/or autistic symptoms is examined. While dopaminergic dysfunctions appear to be more restricted to motor and cognitive symptomatology, glutamatergic mechanisms appear to have broader functions as illustrated by anti-NMDA encephalitis, negative affect and hallucinatory phenomena.