The alpha-7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor(α7 nAChR), consisting of homomeric α7 subunits, is a ligand-gated Ca^(2+)-permeable ion channel implicated in cognition and neuropsychiatric disorders. Enhancement of α7...The alpha-7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor(α7 nAChR), consisting of homomeric α7 subunits, is a ligand-gated Ca^(2+)-permeable ion channel implicated in cognition and neuropsychiatric disorders. Enhancement of α7 nAChR function is considered to be a potential therapeutic strategy aiming at ameliorating cognitive deficits of neuropsychiatric disorders such as Alzheimer's disease(AD) and schizophrenia. Currently, a number of α7 nAChR modulators have been reported and several of them have advanced into clinical trials. In this brief review, we outline recent progress made in understanding the role of the α7 nAChR in multiple neuropsychiatric disorders and the pharmacological effects of α7 nAChR modulators used in clinical trials.展开更多
文摘The alpha-7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor(α7 nAChR), consisting of homomeric α7 subunits, is a ligand-gated Ca^(2+)-permeable ion channel implicated in cognition and neuropsychiatric disorders. Enhancement of α7 nAChR function is considered to be a potential therapeutic strategy aiming at ameliorating cognitive deficits of neuropsychiatric disorders such as Alzheimer's disease(AD) and schizophrenia. Currently, a number of α7 nAChR modulators have been reported and several of them have advanced into clinical trials. In this brief review, we outline recent progress made in understanding the role of the α7 nAChR in multiple neuropsychiatric disorders and the pharmacological effects of α7 nAChR modulators used in clinical trials.
