Abstract
Accumulating evidence suggests that the α7 subtype of nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) plays a role in the pathophysiology of schizophrenia. Deficits in auditory P50 evoked potential suppression in patients with schizophrenia are associated with decreased density of α7 nAChRs in the brain. Some agonists (e.g., DMXB-A and tropisetron) at α7 nAChRs can improve P50 deficits in patients with schizophrenia. Together, these findings indicate that α7 nAChRs are a potential therapeutic target for schizophrenia. Currently, a number of agonists and allosteric modulators at α7 nAChRs are under development as potential therapeutic drugs. In this article, we review recent topics on α7 nAChR agonists and α7 nAChR allosteric modulators as therapeutic drugs for schizophrenia.
Keywords: α7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptors, schizophrenia, smoking, nicotine, P50 auditory evoked potential suppression, agonists, allosteric modulators
Current Pharmaceutical Design
Title: α7 Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptor as a Potential Therapeutic Target for Schizophrenia
Volume: 17 Issue: 2
Author(s): Masatomo Ishikawa and Kenji Hashimoto
Affiliation:
Keywords: α7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptors, schizophrenia, smoking, nicotine, P50 auditory evoked potential suppression, agonists, allosteric modulators
Abstract: Accumulating evidence suggests that the α7 subtype of nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) plays a role in the pathophysiology of schizophrenia. Deficits in auditory P50 evoked potential suppression in patients with schizophrenia are associated with decreased density of α7 nAChRs in the brain. Some agonists (e.g., DMXB-A and tropisetron) at α7 nAChRs can improve P50 deficits in patients with schizophrenia. Together, these findings indicate that α7 nAChRs are a potential therapeutic target for schizophrenia. Currently, a number of agonists and allosteric modulators at α7 nAChRs are under development as potential therapeutic drugs. In this article, we review recent topics on α7 nAChR agonists and α7 nAChR allosteric modulators as therapeutic drugs for schizophrenia.
Export Options
About this article
Cite this article as:
Ishikawa Masatomo and Hashimoto Kenji, α7 Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptor as a Potential Therapeutic Target for Schizophrenia, Current Pharmaceutical Design 2011; 17 (2) . https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/138161211795049561
DOI https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/138161211795049561 |
Print ISSN 1381-6128 |
Publisher Name Bentham Science Publisher |
Online ISSN 1873-4286 |
- Author Guidelines
- Graphical Abstracts
- Fabricating and Stating False Information
- Research Misconduct
- Post Publication Discussions and Corrections
- Publishing Ethics and Rectitude
- Increase Visibility of Your Article
- Archiving Policies
- Peer Review Workflow
- Order Your Article Before Print
- Promote Your Article
- Manuscript Transfer Facility
- Editorial Policies
- Allegations from Whistleblowers
- Announcements
Related Articles
-
Potential Therapeutic Interest of Adenosine A2A Receptors in Psychiatric Disorders
Current Pharmaceutical Design Pharmacological Interventions and Rehabilitation Approach for Enhancing Brain Self-repair and Stroke Recovery
Current Neuropharmacology Histone Deacetylase (HDAC) Inhibitors - emerging roles in neuronal memory, learning, synaptic plasticity and neural regeneration
Current Neuropharmacology HTR2A Gene Variants and Psychiatric Disorders: A Review of Current Literature and Selection of SNPs for Future Studies
Current Medicinal Chemistry Visuospatial Memory in Healthy Elderly, AD and MCI: A Review
Current Aging Science Interactions of Cisplatin with non-DNA Targets and their Influence on Anticancer Activity and Drug Toxicity: The Complex World of the Platinum Complex
Current Cancer Drug Targets Ginkgo biloba Extract 761: A Review of Basic Studies and Potential Clinical Use in Psychiatric Disorders
CNS & Neurological Disorders - Drug Targets Neuropsychological Findings in Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder and its Potential Implications for Treatment
Current Psychiatry Reviews Ophthalmological and Otological Manifestations in the Antiphospholipid Syndrome
Current Rheumatology Reviews Treating the Cognitive Deficits of Schizophrenia with Alpha4Beta2 Neuronal Nicotinic Receptor Agonists
Current Pharmaceutical Design What Can Neuroscience Tell Us About the Potential of Psychedelics in Healthcare? How the Neurophenomenology of Psychedelics Research Could Help us to Flourish Throughout Our Lives, as Well as to Enhance Our Dying
Current Drug Abuse Reviews The Synthetic Cannabinoids Phenomenon
Current Pharmaceutical Design Neural Correlates of Schizotypal Personality Disorder: A Systematic Review of Neuroimaging and EEG Studies
Current Medical Imaging Molecular Pharmacology of the Glycine Receptor Chloride Channel
Current Pharmaceutical Design Cellular, Molecular and Non-Pharmacological Therapeutic Advances for the Treatment of Parkinson's Disease: Separating Hope from Hype
Current Gene Therapy Abiotic Regulation: A Common Way for Proteins to Modulate their Functions
Current Protein & Peptide Science Physiopathological Roles of P2X Receptors in the Central Nervous System
Current Medicinal Chemistry A Qualitative Report on the Subjective Experience of Intravenous Psilocybin Administered in an fMRI Environment
Current Drug Abuse Reviews The Effects of Cognitive Speed of Processing Training Among Older Adults with Psychometrically- Defined Mild Cognitive Impairment
Current Alzheimer Research Editorial (Thematic Issue: Neuroglia as a Central Element of Neurological Diseases: An Underappreciated Target for Therapeutic Intervention)
Current Neuropharmacology