title: Voltage-dependent calcium channels--beyond dihydropyridine antagonists.
abstract: The blockade of L-type calcium channels by dihydropyridines, phenylalkylamines and benzothiazepines has been well described and forms the basis of a multibillion dollar market for the treatment of cardiovascular disease and migraine. More recently, neuron-specific calcium channels have become the subject of intense interest regarding their potential as therapeutic targets for the treatment of chronic and neuropathic pain. A number of recently described agents that selectively target neuronal calcium channels have been described and appear promising for a variety of pain conditions.
authors.affiliation: Biotechnology Laboratory, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada. snutch@zoology.ubc.ca
authors.forename: T P
authors.initials: TP
authors.lastname: Snutch
authors.forename: K G
authors.initials: KG
authors.lastname: Sutton
authors.forename: G W
authors.initials: GW
authors.lastname: Zamponi
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002121:Calcium Channel Blockers / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D015220:Calcium Channels / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D004095:Dihydropyridines / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004594:Electrophysiology; D006801:Humans; D015640:Ion Channel Gating / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D010146:Pain / Q000188:drug therapy
chemical_list: D002121:Calcium Channel Blockers; D015220:Calcium Channels; D004095:Dihydropyridines